BJP MPs give privilege notice against Aiyar in RS

After raising strong objections to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's comments – allegedly comparing Members of Parliament shouting slogans in the Well of Parliament with animals -- three Bharatiya Janata Party MPs on Friday gave a notice in the Rajya Sabha for alleged breach of privilege by him.

BJP MPs Jagat Prakash Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupendra Yadav have sent the privilege notice against Aiyar under Rule 188 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Rajya Sabha to the Rajya Sabha secretary general.

Aiyar, a Rajya Sabha MP, had reportedly made the controversial remarks during a television debate on the logjam in Parliament on Foreign Direct Investment in retail,

"The use of such derogatory and defamatory words is unacceptable and constitutes contempt of this House. Therefore, we feel obliged to raise this question of privilege against him," the notice stated.

The BJP MPs claimed Aiyar -- during the televised debate -- referred to MPs shouting slogans in the Well of the House as "animals".

Stating that Aiyar has used and reiterated the word 'Jaanwar' (animal) for MPs, the notice sent by the MPs read, "The said offending word has been subsequently used by him several times in the course of the interview and he has justified using the said word on live television."

Earlier, members in Rajya Sabha from various parties raised strong objections to Aiyar's reported comments and demanded an apology.

An apparently embarrassed Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla tendered an immediate apology on behalf of Aiyar and informed the House that he will talk to him in this regard and ask him to apologise.

Members pressed for summoning the Congress member and sought referring the matter to the Ethics Committee of Parliament.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien hoped Aiyar will explain his position in the House.

"If that does not happen, then there is a course of action. The Chair will examine the matter," he said.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, "Aiyar's remarks are most unfortunate and I condemn them."

"He is calling supporting party MPs beasts or animals. I think they (the MPs) will definitely take note of it," Javadekar said.