Congress MP suspended from Rajya Sabha for recording opposition's protest against PM in Parliament on phone and circulating it

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar on Friday suspended Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil from the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha "for the remaining part of current session" for acting in violation of the directions of the chair.

"In public domain yesterday, on Twitter, there was dissemination of a video relating to proceedings of this House. I took a serious view of it and did all that was required. As a matter of principle and to keep sanctity of Parliament, no outside agency's involvement could be sought. The entire matter will be probed by the Privileges Committee and till we have the benefit of the recommendation of the Privileges Committee for consideration of this august House, Dr Rajani Ashokrao Patil is suspended for the current session," Dhankar said.

The budget session of Parliament commenced on January 31 and the first part of the session will conclude on February 13. The second part of the session will be held from March 13 to April 6.

Raising the matter in the House, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said they are seeing videos recorded in the House showing senior Members of Parliament unauthorisedly being recorded. He also urged the Chair to name the member who recorded the videos and circulated them.

Chairman Dhankar said since the matter concerned the proceedings of the House, there is primary material. BJP member GVL Narasimha Rao moved the motion for suspension of the Congress member.

Congress members urged the Chair to first get the issue examined and probed before deciding action. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said after the inquiry, the Chairman can caution the member or take action. Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav said that the matter should not be escalated.

However, BJP members including Union Minister Bhuepndra Yadav insisted that action should be taken. They said there were directions on the issue given by Venkaiah Naidu when he was Chairman of the House.