Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has issued a stern warning about maintaining parliamentary dignity. He stated that action will definitely follow against anyone who violates the decorum of the House. This statement comes amid a growing controversy over an alleged vaping incident inside the Lok Sabha chamber.
Forensic Examination Underway
Authorities have sent a video clip to a forensic laboratory for detailed verification. The clip purportedly shows the incident in question. Sources indicate that the forensic report is expected to arrive within the next few days. This report will be crucial for determining the next steps in the official process.
The Allegation and Complaint
During the recent Winter Session, BJP MP Anurag Thakur raised a serious allegation. He claimed that a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP was seen using an electronic cigarette while seated in the Lok Sabha. Thakur emphasized that such devices are banned nationwide. He subsequently submitted a formal written complaint to Speaker Om Birla, though he did not name any specific individual in that initial complaint.
Later, the BJP party circulated a video clip. This footage appears to show TMC MP Kirti Azad engaging in the act of vaping within the parliamentary chamber. The video has now become central to the investigation.
Speaker Birla's Firm Stance
Speaker Om Birla addressed the media on the sidelines of a Commonwealth Speakers' conference. He was unequivocal in his position. "There will be action against those who have violated the dignity of Parliament," Birla declared. He stressed that no one possesses the right to undermine the sanctity of the House.
Birla outlined the procedural path forward. Once the forensic lab report is received, he can refer the complaint to an appropriate parliamentary committee. This committee would then suggest a suitable course of action.
Possible Committees and Consequences
The Speaker mentioned several potential committees that could handle the matter. These include the privilege committee or the ethics committee. He also noted the possibility of forming a special committee specifically for this issue.
"We will act on the recommendation of the committee," Birla affirmed. He warned that maintaining decorum is mandatory for all members. The consequences for violation could be severe. "A member could even lose his membership," he stated explicitly. The committee holds the authority to recommend any action, including the extreme measure of expulsion from Parliament.
The Legal and Rule-Based Argument
In his formal complaint, Anurag Thakur detailed the alleged violation. He wrote that a TMC MP was seen openly using an e-cigarette during a sitting of the House. Thakur argued the video footage makes the act clearly visible. He labeled it a serious breach of parliamentary conduct and a grave violation of established rules.
He further highlighted the legal context. India's Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act of 2019 imposes a complete ban. This ban covers the manufacture, import, sale, distribution, and advertisement of e-cigarettes across the entire country. The alleged act, therefore, contravenes both parliamentary rules and national law.
The nation now awaits the forensic report. Its findings will set in motion the formal parliamentary process to address this breach of conduct and uphold the dignity of the Lok Sabha.
