BJP Lawmakers File Complaint Against Sonia Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have officially lodged a notice with the Rajya Sabha chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, claiming that Congress MP Sonia Gandhi used inappropriate language that disrespected the President of India. They argue that her comments aimed to diminish the respect associated with the nation’s highest office.
In their complaint, BJP lawmakers emphasized that Gandhi’s remarks were offensive and should be taken seriously, urging that disciplinary action be considered. They believe such statements not only compromise the respect of the position but also contradict parliamentary rules that dictate proper behavior among members.
The notice comes after a series of comments made by Gandhi about President Droupadi Murmu following her lengthy address to Parliament during the budget session. Gandhi remarked about the President’s visible fatigue toward the end of her speech, calling the situation "poor thing." These remarks sparked significant political backlash, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticizing Gandhi for what he deemed an insult to tribal communities.
Gandhi’s husband, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, was also captured in a clip describing the President’s speech as "boring." It’s important to note that the President’s address is approved by the governing Union government before being delivered in Parliament.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan responded, stating that the President was advocating for marginalized communities and that speaking on such important issues should not be seen as tiring work. Modi accused Gandhi’s comments of disrespecting tribal populations, further fueling the controversy.
The BJP has argued that Gandhi’s comments reflect an elitist attitude and a lack of understanding of tribal issues. Their notice highlighted that all members of Parliament must uphold the integrity of constitutional positions and refrain from making negative remarks.
In a separate complaint against independent MP Pappu Yadav for calling the President a "rubber stamp," BJP lawmakers expressed that his words also disrespected the office of the President and the dignity of the House.
A group of BJP’s tribal lawmakers led by Faggan Singh Kulaste has additionally called for action against both Gandhi and Yadav, stating that derogatory remarks against the leadership are an insult to the entire tribal community in India.
