In a major development, Bhopal Lok Sabha MP, Sadhvi Pragya has moved a breach of privilege notice against Rahul Gandhi after the latter called her a “terrorist”. In her notice, she said, “Being a woman, the way I have fought against the mental and physical torture carried out by the previous government as part of a conspiracy, can that struggle be called terrorism?” She also said, “I want to ask would questions be raised against the MP who levelled such allegation against a woman without any evidence? Will action be taken against him?”
The BJP also backed her demand for an apology from Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi had made objectionable remarks about Sadhvi Pragya following her Godse ‘patriot’ remark. He said, “Terrorist Pragya calls terrorist Godse, a patriot. A sad day in the history of India’s parliament.” This is line with the left-liberal ecosystem’s agenda of trying to paint her as a terrorist despite failing to prove their charge. The UPA government had tried coining terms such as “saffron terror” and “Hindutva terror”, by accusing Sadhvi Pragya of terrorism.
For a period of 9 years, she was kept in custody during which she also faced horrific cruelty and torture. Yet, not a single charge has been proven against her. She was released in 2017 when the High Court held, “There was no prima facie case against her.” This is something that Sadhvi Pragya has highlighted. She said, “A member of the house referred to me as ‘terrorist’. It is an attack on my dignity as a member of parliament and also as a woman. No charges against me have been proven in court. I have been misquoted and victimised. It’s derogatory to call me a terrorist. It is illegal to call me a terrorist and whoever has done this directly insulting the judicial system.”
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi remained defiant even after making such objectionable remarks about an elected MP. He said, “Let them do it. I have made my stand clear.” This only shows utter disrespect for Parliamentary conduct and ethics on the part of Rahul Gandhi, and a sense of entitlement that he can get away with anything as he comes from a particular family. Now, the Lok Sabha Secretariat will examine the merit of her complaint before recommending the Speaker on whether to admit her notice and refer it to the privilege committee of the House.
If a privilege motion gets through, then a person can be let off with a warning or can even face action in the form of simple imprisonment, depending upon the gravity of the situation. As such Rahul Gandhi seems to have gone out of his way and committed a breach of Parliamentary privilege while making the “terrorist” remark. It remains to be seen if Rahul Gandhi land in trouble and face action over his remarks.