At a time when constant disruption in both houses of Parliament routinely stall general business, Vice-President Hamid Ansari has, in an unprecedented step, referred a complaint to the Committee of Privileges raising the question whether those disrupting the House breach the privilege of those MPs scheduled to ask questions during that period.

Under Rule 203, which allows the Rajya Sabha Chairman to refer any question of privilege to the committee concerned, Ansari chose to take cognizance of a complaint by a group of MPs who could not “speak and ask supplementaries” during Question Hour last Thursday allegedly because some other MPs did not allow the House to function. The Committee will now have to examine, investigate and then submit a report on the matter.

“This is infringement of our rights as Members of the House,” alleged the complaint which was submitted by Congress Rajya Sabha Member Santosh Bagrodia. Among others who have joined the complaint, according to the Rajya Sabha bulletin, are Manohar Joshi, Supriya Sule and J D Seelam.

Clearly, Ansari has found resonance in the complaint by MPs to what he had said a month ago before the Budget Session commenced. Speaking at the All India Whips Conference in Mumbai, he had asked: “Is not disruption of proceedings during the Question Hour a breach of privilege of individual members who await answers to admitted starred questions, and supplementary questions?”

Now, by referring this complaint he would be forcing MPs from different parties to deliberate on the issue and come out with recommendations.

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