BJP hits back with privilege move against Scindia

BJP’s Chief Whip Arjun Ram Meghwal accused Scindia of “misleading” the House on February 24 by alleging that Dattatreya had called Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student of Hyderabad University who committed suicide, “anti-national, casteist and extremist”. 

Meghwal said he and many other members, including Dattatreya, had given a notice of breach of privilege against Scindia.  He raised the issue amid uproar in the House as AIADMK members were demanding action against former Union Minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis issue.

At this, Congress members too rushed to the Well, demanding that the Speaker decide on their privilege motion.  Dattatreya accused Scindia of “defaming him and tarnishing” his image by attributing such comments to him that he never made about Vemula. 

“My mother used to sell onions. I have always worked for OBCs, Dalits... I have made sacrifices for Dalits,” he said, recalling his humble background and work for the downtrodden.  He said his letter to Irani, over which he has been attacked by Congress, made no mention of Vemula’s name. “I never made such charge against him.” 

Congress members continued to protest with K C Venugopal showing the rule book to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to which she shot back, saying “Don’t show me the rule book. I know.” In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad reminded that his Congress party had given notice of privilege motion against the HRD Minister and wanted to know its status. 

“She (Irani) has misled this House and the nation through the House. Not only here, she has misled the country in both the Houses. It is a very very serious charge,” Azad said. 

Earlier, Bhalchandra Mungekar (Cong) sought to know the fate of his notice for privilege motion against Irani given on Monday and insisted on action against the minister.

He raised the issue during Question Hour when his name was called for asking a supplementary question. Chairman Hamid Ansari asked Mungekar not to raise any other issue during Question Hour.