BJP MPs Flag ‘Derogatory’ Words: Privileges Committee Asks Rahul Gandhi To Respond To Allegations By August 28

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha’s Committee of Privileges has formally asked Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi to submit his explanation by August 28, following a complaint that he allegedly breached parliamentary norms during a recent debate. The notice was served after two BJP MPs were placed before Speaker Om Birla, both concerning Rahul Gandhi’s remarks while the House was discussing the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

At the centre of the issue are allegations that the Congress MP used language deemed unparliamentary and made serious charges against the Union Home Minister without giving the prior intimation required under Rule 353. The panel has now sought Rahul Gandhi’s comments on both submissions before proceeding further.

What Led To The Notice

According to information, on July 30, BJP MP Anurag Thakur wrote to the Speaker alleging a breach of privilege by LoP Rahul Gandhi. The BJP MP contended that during the debate on the anti-cheating Bill, the Lok Sabha LoP had employed derogatory and unparliamentary expressions and had also levelled grave allegations against the Home Minister without serving adequate advance notice as stipulated in the rules.

Also, a day earlier, on July 29, another BJP MP, Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, sent a separate letter urging the Chair to take cognisance of the same incident. Dr Jaiswal requested that appropriate action be initiated under the Rules of Procedure, stressing that Rahul Gandhi’s choice of words against the Union Home Minister during the discussion on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, warranted scrutiny.

In the backdrop of the two communications, the Committee of Privileges has now written to Rahul Gandhi, asking him to furnish his reply or comments.

The panel has given Rahul Gandhi time until August 28 to respond to the allegations. The committee has asked him to address both the substance of the allegations and the procedural objections raised by the two BJP MPs. The committee’s communication makes clear that it is examining whether the remarks made on the floor amounted to a breach of privilege and whether the requirement of prior notice under Rule 353 was overlooked.

Although the notice does not pre-judge the outcome, it signalled that the House’s privileges watchdog intended to look closely at the tone and content of the speech, particularly references made to the Union Home Minister.

Notably, the remarks in question were made during the Lok Sabha’s consideration of the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, legislation to curb malpractices in public recruitment tests. It was in the course of that discussion that Rahul Gandhi is alleged to have used expressions that the complainants deemed unparliamentary, and to have made serious allegations against the Home Minister without the notice the rules demand.

Further details regarding the notice served to Rahul Gandhi are awaited.