TN Speaker JCD Prabhakar warns action over reels featuring expunged Assembly remarks

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar has warned of action against those circulating remarks expunged from the House records as reels and other short videos on social media, saying such content undermines the dignity of the Assembly.

The issue came up during a heated exchange in the Legislative Assembly on Friday over the live broadcast of House proceedings and the continued circulation of remarks removed from the official records, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

Udhayanidhi flags circulation of expunged remarks

Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said the Speaker was conducting the proceedings effectively and giving members opportunities to raise questions. However, he alleged that ministers and ruling party members were being given more opportunities to speak.

Speaker JCD Prabhakar said the time allotted to members was based on the numerical strength of their respective parties. Udhayanidhi said he was not objecting to the allocation of time but pointed out that ministers and ruling party members often made allegations while responding to questions. He said some of these remarks were subsequently expunged from the official records.

He also highlighted the issue of live broadcasting, saying that remarks later removed from the records had already been broadcast and could continue to circulate through edited videos on YouTube and other social media platforms. Udhayanidhi said this made the process of expunging remarks ineffective, as the statements could continue to be viewed and shared online even after being removed from the official records. Referring to the manner in which some ministers and members responded in the House, he remarked that the proceedings at times appeared like a “Super Singer” show.

Ministers question delay in live broadcast

Responding to the Opposition, Minister Aadhav Arjuna questioned why the previous government had not introduced live broadcasting of Assembly proceedings during its tenure. Minister Anand also referred to the popularity of the live proceedings, saying people were now able to watch the Assembly directly rather than depending only on television programmes.

Udhayanidhi, meanwhile, maintained that the DMK government was the first to introduce live broadcasting of the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly. He said the present system of broadcasting the entire proceedings had taken the initiative further but stressed that the concern was about the circulation of remarks that had been expunged from the official records.

JCD warns against sharing expunged remarks

Speaker JCD Prabhakar said remarks made without evidence could be expunged from the official records as per convention. He said a letter had been submitted on behalf of the DMK seeking action through the Committee of Privileges over the publication of remarks that had been removed from the House records.

The Speaker asked members to provide details of media outlets carrying such remarks, stating that the matter could be taken up by the Committee of Privileges. Minister Rajmohan said the live broadcast was intended to allow the public to see what was happening inside the Assembly. He also claimed that the live broadcast had been initiated during the DMK regime under MK Stalin.

Udhayanidhi reiterated that the Opposition was not against the live broadcast but was concerned about what happened to remarks after they were expunged. He pointed out that such statements could continue to trend on social media after being broadcast during the proceedings. The Speaker said it was a convention to remove statements made without evidence from the official records. However, he noted that such remarks were later being taken from the proceedings and published by various media platforms.

Action warned against Reels

Speaking to reporters after attending an event in Chennai, JCD Prabhakar reiterated his warning that action would be taken if expunged remarks were released as reels or other short videos on social media.

He said using remarks removed from the Assembly records in any form undermined the dignity of the House and amounted to a violation of the rules.The Speaker added that letters seeking action for breach of privilege had been submitted to him and were under consideration.JCD Prabhakar said action would be taken against the circulation of expunged remarks as reels, while urging members to make statements backed by evidence and maintain the dignity of the Legislative Assembly.