'Selective expunction defies logic: Rahul Gandhi writes to LS speaker

Digital Desk: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has expressed shock and disappointment in a letter addressed to Speaker Om Birla regarding the expunction of several parts of his speech from the Lok Sabha records. The letter came a day after Gandhi's scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address on July 1.

In his letter, Gandhi contended that the expunged portions of his speech do not fall under the purview of Rule 380 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. "Every member of the House who personifies the collective voice of people whom he or she represents has the freedom of speech as enshrined in Article 105(1) of the Constitution of India," Gandhi stated.

He emphasized the importance of every member's right to raise people's concerns on the floor of the House. "It is that right and in the exercise of my obligations to the people of the country, that I was exercising yesterday," Gandhi added. He argued that removing his considered remarks from the records goes against the very tenets of parliamentary democracy.

Gandhi also pointed out the speech delivered by Union Minister Anurag Thakur, noting that despite the speech being filled with allegations, only one word was expunged. "With due respect to your good self, this selective expunction defies logic," he remarked. The Congress leader requested the restoration of the expunged remarks from the proceedings.

In his maiden address as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi unleashed a scathing criticism of the BJP, alleging that the party's leaders were sowing communal discord among the people. His statements drew vehement objections from the ruling party members and prompted an unusual response from the Prime Minister, who objected to his remarks and said the Congress leader was labeling the entire Hindu community as violent.

Gandhi's letter underscores the tension and the ongoing debate about the freedom of speech within the Indian Parliament. His call for the restoration of his expunged remarks reflects a broader concern about maintaining the democratic principles that allow elected representatives to voice the concerns of the people.