Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has initiated breach of privilege proceedings against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Rajya Sabha. Ramesh accused Modi of making "derogatory" remarks against former Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari. In his letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Ramesh alleges that Modi's comments constitute unprecedented attacks on the dignity of a former speaker of the Lok Sabha or chairman of the Rajya Sabha. 

"I wish to draw your attention to a significant incident of breach of privilege and contempt of the House committed by the Prime Minister of India. On July 2, 2024, during his response to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister stated, 'No matter how many numbers they claim, when we came in 2014, our strength in the Rajya Sabha was very low, and the Chair's inclination was somewhat on the other side'," the Congress leader stated. 

Despite not explicitly mentioning Hamid Ansari by name, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has expressed concern over what he perceives as derogatory remarks attributed to the former Rajya Sabha Chairman. In his letter to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Ramesh highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement implying that the Chair had leaned towards the Opposition is deemed unacceptable and offensive. He emphasised that such accusations are not only false but also disrespectful. 

Ramesh pointed out that this incident is not isolated, citing previous instances where the Prime Minister has targeted Hamid Ansari, the former Vice President. His letter, dated July 8, underscores the gravity of the issue regarding the dignity and neutrality expected from the Chair of the Rajya Sabha. 

Jairam Ramesh highlighted that on August 10, 2017, during his farewell speech for Hamid Ansari's retirement in the Balayogi Auditorium, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made what Ramesh described as mischievous references to Ansari's earlier diplomatic postings. Ramesh asserted that no previous prime minister had ever criticised a former Speaker of the Lok Sabha or Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in the manner that Modi did. 

Ramesh further accused the Prime Minister of disregarding parliamentary norms and decorum, alleging that Modi's actions have significantly diminished the dignity associated with the office of the Prime Minister of India. 

In his letter to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Jairam Ramesh emphasised the seriousness of the matter regarding the defamatory remarks made in the Lok Sabha, attributing derogatory motives to the former Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who was not present to defend himself. Ramesh stated that such actions amount to grave disrespect towards the high office of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the institution itself. He called for privilege proceedings against the Prime Minister in response to these remarks. 

While Narendra Modi did not explicitly name anyone, it is noted that Hamid Ansari served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from August 2012 to August 2017. 

Last week, on a social media platform, Ramesh criticised the Prime Minister's remarks made on July 2nd in the Lok Sabha, describing them as "awful and unacceptable," and suggesting that they should have been expunged from the records immediately. 

Image Source: Deccan Herald