New Delhi: BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur on Thursday, July 30, moved a notice of breach of privilege and contempt of the House against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over remarks he allegedly made during the House proceedings on July 29. Thakur has accused Gandhi of using unparliamentary and derogatory language and of making allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah without giving the required advance notice.
Anurag Thakur Cites Lok Sabha Rules in Notice
Thakur submitted the notice under Rule 222 read with Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. In the notice, he alleged that Rahul Gandhi used objectionable expressions while addressing the House and repeated them even after the Chair had warned him.
According to Thakur’s notice, Gandhi, while narrating an alleged conversation with a student, referred to three categories of people as “students”, “idiots” and “andhbhakts”. Thakur alleged that the latter two terms were used to characterise citizens and, by implication, political opponents and supporters of the government.
Thakur Alleges Violation of Rule 352
The BJP MP said Gandhi’s remarks violated multiple provisions of Rule 352, which governs the manner in which members should conduct their speeches in the House.
Thakur specifically referred to Rule 352(ii), which restricts personal references involving imputing motives or questioning the bona fides of a person unless such references are necessary for the debate. He also cited Rule 352(iii), concerning offensive expressions, and Rule 352(vii), which bars defamatory words directed against an individual or class of persons.
The notice further alleged that describing a section of citizens using the terms “idiots” and “andhbhakts” was offensive and derogatory and diminished the dignity of Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks Allegedly Outside Scope of Debate
Thakur also invoked Rule 352(viii), arguing that members are expected to confine their remarks to the matter under discussion and should not use their right to speak for purposes unrelated to or obstructive of the business before the House.
According to the BJP MP, Gandhi introduced what he described as provocative and extraneous anecdotes to disparage sections of society. Thakur alleged that doing so amounted to misuse of the floor of the House.
Allegations Against Amit Shah Also Cited
Another key part of Thakur’s privilege notice concerns Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Thakur alleged that Gandhi levelled “grave and unsubstantiated allegations” against Shah without providing the advance notice required under Rule 353. He also alleged that Gandhi did not provide documentary evidence or a credible source to substantiate the claims made during his speech.
According to Thakur, the absence of advance notice denied the Home Minister an adequate opportunity to investigate the allegations and respond to them.
The BJP MP said the alleged conduct raised questions about the propriety of proceedings in the House and constituted a violation of both the letter and spirit of Rule 353.
Thakur Alleges Disregard for Speaker’s Instructions
In his notice, Thakur further alleged that Rahul Gandhi did not follow repeated instructions from the Speaker during the proceedings.
He claimed that Gandhi’s conduct was obstructive to the proper discharge of the functions of Lok Sabha members, both individually and collectively. On these grounds, Thakur alleged that Gandhi had committed a breach of privilege of a Lok Sabha member and contempt of the House and had shown disregard for the authority of the Speaker.
BJP MP Seeks Referral to Privileges Committee
Thakur has requested that his notice be admitted under Rule 222. He has also sought the expunging of the allegedly offending remarks from the parliamentary record under Rules 380 and 381.
In addition, the BJP MP has asked that the matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges under Rule 227 for a detailed inquiry and appropriate action.
Thakur has also sought a direction requiring Rahul Gandhi to tender an unconditional apology to the House and to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Thakur Offers Official Proceedings and Video Record
In his motion notice, Thakur said he was available to provide further particulars if required. He specifically mentioned the official proceedings and video record of the Lok Sabha proceedings of July 29, 2026, as material that could be furnished to the Chair or the Committee.
The notice now puts the alleged remarks and Thakur’s claims before the parliamentary privilege process. Any further action will depend on the decision of the competent parliamentary authorities and the procedure followed under the relevant Lok Sabha rules.
