BJP Demands Special Committee To Investigate Possible Suspension Of Rahul Gandhi For His Remarks In London

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has requested Speaker Om Birla to establish a special committee in the Lok Sabha to investigate if Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should be suspended for allegedly insulting the country, democracy and Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi has denied the accusations and declined to apologise for his comments.

At Cambridge University, he warned on 28 February that Indian democracy is in jeopardy, citing constraints on key institutions such as Parliament, free press, judiciary, and public mobilisation.

During a Chatham House discussion on 6 March, Gandhi emphasised that India's democracy is a matter that should be addressed within India.

Nonetheless, given the scale of Indian democracy, its success impacts global democratic principles. The collapse of Indian democracy, therefore, would significantly undermine democracy and its principles around the world. This makes the issue relevant to everyone, Gandhi argued.

The BJP accused Gandhi of making harmful comments about Indian institutions on foreign soil as part of a deliberate attempt to damage their reputation.

Gandhi's claim that the microphones of opposition MPs are turned off when they speak is potentially insulting to the chair and may be referred to the privileges committee.

However, his assertion that democracy in India is under threat is not likely a breach of parliamentary privilege.

The ethics committee of Lok Sabha has a mechanism to investigate the moral and ethical behaviour of its members.

Despite this, the BJP desires a separate committee to probe Gandhi's case, unlike the ethics committee.

This unique committee will resemble the one established in 2005 to investigate cash-for-query scandal rather than being a part of the other many issues before the committee.

In case a committee is established, the BJP with a strong presence in the Lok Sabha will possess a majority. Within a month, the committee generally delivers its report, can meet daily, and has the power to summon Gandhi for clarification.

It's unclear if BJP truly wants Wayanad MP suspended, according to some observers who think party only aims to put pressure on him. A few MPs from ruling party are afraid that his suspension could earn Gandhi public empathy and influence.

If suspended, Wayanad will lack a representative in the House without triggering a by-election, which needs the MP's expulsion to occur.