Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday sent out a stern warning to members against using mobile phones inside the House after Bharatiya Janata Party member Anurag Thakur expressed regret for allegedly shooting opposition protests in the Well using his mobile two days ago.
Some opposition members had complained about Thakur shooting video of their protests in the Well on July 24 and Aam Aadmi Party member Bhagwant Mann had written a letter in this regard to the Speaker.
While stating that nothing has come to her notice, Mahajan said if someone had done so, then it is condemnable. “If you have done it, then you have to tender an apology (to the House),” she said.
Thereafter, Thakur gave a statement and expressed regret.
“Mobile se agar kisiko aapattee hai to ... mein khed vyakt karta hoon (If someone has objections to (my) mobile, then I express my regret),” Thakur said amid noisy protests by opposition members.
A visibly peeved Mahajan warned against such actions in the future.
“I am warning you... Dobara galti nahi honi chahiye (the mistake should not be repeated),” she told the member.
On July 24, Mahajan had suspended six Congress members from attending the House for five days after they threw papers towards the Chair.
During those protests in the Well, it was alleged that Thakur had shot the scenes using his mobile phone.
As the House met after adjournment at 1245 hours, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wanted to know why action was not being taken against Thakur whereas Mann had faced
suspension for two sessions for shooting video outside the House but in the Parliament complex.
