Point of privilege

Alleged harassment of a member by his Parliamentary party for asking a question in the House

Facts of the case and ruling by the Deputy Chairman

On the 3rd August, 1971, Shri A. P. Chatterjee, a member, sought to raise' a question of privilege regarding alleged harassment of Shri Chandra Shekhar, another member, by the Congress party for asking a question in the House on a matter concerning the Ministry of Steel. Shri A. P. Chatterji alleged that disparaging term's were used for Shri Chandra Shekhar in a Congress Parliamentary Party meeting for his question in the House. He contended that Shri Chandra Shekhar was thus restrained in discharging his duties as a member.

2. Shri Chandra Shekhar, refuting the allegation, stated inter-alia as follows:--

".... the Congress Party has never put any limitations for any member to expose corruption, inefficiency and antinational activity of anybody whosoever it may be. I assure my friend on that side that no such curb can be made on any member of our Party; it is not Part and parcel of the Party Constitution, rules and regulations. I have no information. I do not go by press report. But I assure them that my privileges and my independence is as intact as it was before."

3. In view of the explanation of Shri Chandra Shekhar, the Deputy Chairman (Shri B. D. Khobragade) disallowed the question of privilege.

1. R.S. Deb. 3-8-1971.