RS chairman ordering breach of privilege probe is against democratic heritage of Parliament: CPI MP

New Delhi, Feb 23 (PTI) CPI MP Binoy Viswam on Thursday wrote to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, saying his recent decision to ask the committee of privileges to probe disruptions in the House created by 12 Opposition MPs is against the “democratic heritage” of Parliament.

Dhankhar has asked a parliamentary committee to investigate the alleged breach of privilege by 12 Congress and AAP MPs for repeatedly entering the Well of the House, shouting slogans, and obstructing its proceedings.

According to a Rajya Sabha bulletin, nine of the MPs are from the Congress and three from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

“I write this letter to raise my reservation on you referring the question of alleged ‘breach of privilege’ under rule 203 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business against 12 Members of the Parliament. I strongly believe this move is in violation of the cherished ideals of our country and the democratic heritage of the parliament,” the Rajya Sabha MP has written in his letter.

The Rajya Sabha Rules of Procedure provides a rule 267, which is of similar nature that of the Adjournment Motion under the Chapter IX of the Lok Sabha Rules, he said, adding that it serves as an important means for the opposition to raise issues that concern the interest of the general public.

“However, the current dispensation has failed to allow a single discussion under this rule. This is a severe cause for concern as it indicates a trend of declining willingness of the government to debate and discuss the people’s issues in the parliament. Discussion and debates are cardinal to the very concept of parliament in a democracy,” he said.

Viswam also said a Rajya Sabha chairman referring a question of privilege to the privilege committee is “unheard of”.

“I fail to understand as to how parliamentary privilege is being violated when a Member of Parliament is exercising their right and puts forward a notice as per the rule book which regulates their conduct in the house,” he said, urging Dhankhar to withdraw his reference and immediately convene a meeting of leaders of all parties in order to find ways to resolve the issue.