A group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament (MPs) has filed a privilege motion against Sonia Gandhi, the Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader, for her comments about President Droupadi Murmu following her address to both Houses of Parliament on January 31.
The motion, which was moved on Monday, accuses Gandhi of making derogatory and disrespectful remarks that, according to the BJP MPs, undermined the dignity of the President’s office.
The controversy erupted when Sonia Gandhi, in a video that went viral, was heard referring to President Murmu as "getting very tired by the end" of her speech. She further added, “she could hardly speak, poor thing."
The comments immediately attracted criticism from BJP MPs, who contended that such language was unbecoming of a leader and disrespectful to the highest constitutional authority in the country.
The BJP MPs, in their notice, argued that Sonia Gandhi's remarks were not only inappropriate but also demeaning to the stature of the President and the office she represents.
According to the MPs, the comments violated the principles of parliamentary decorum and conventions, which require members to uphold the dignity of the institution.
They further stressed that such remarks should not be protected under parliamentary privileges, as they go against the very essence of respect for elected officials and institutions.
The BJP MPs specifically pointed out that parliamentary ethics prohibit any member from making defamatory or disrespectful comments about others, especially when referring to a position as crucial as that of the President.
They further accused Gandhi of displaying an "elitist and anti-tribal mindset," claiming that her remarks revealed a lack of understanding of the struggles and sensitivities of tribal communities.
This statement seemed to imply a disconnect between the Congress leader and the ordinary citizens, particularly those from marginalized communities.
The privilege motion also referred to a Supreme Court ruling that expressed disapproval of the abuse of parliamentary privileges. The BJP MPs called for appropriate disciplinary action against Sonia Gandhi, citing the serious nature of her remarks.
They underlined that actions of this kind diminish the institution's integrity and compromise the trust the citizens of India place in it.
The BJP MPs also insisted that the incident warranted an exemplary response in order to uphold parliamentary standards and the values of mutual respect that form the foundation of India’s democratic institutions.
The notice concluded with a call for Sonia Gandhi to face consequences for her remarks, with the MPs seeking to ensure that the sanctity of parliamentary ethics and the President’s office is preserved.
In response, Congress leaders have defended Sonia Gandhi’s remarks, arguing that they were taken out of context and misrepresented. However, the BJP MPs have maintained that Gandhi’s words were offensive and required strong action.
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