National Desk, 2nd July: Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has voiced his dissatisfaction to Speaker Om Birla regarding the expunging of significant portions of his recent parliamentary speech. In a letter addressed to the Speaker, Gandhi expressed dismay over what he termed as “selective expunction” and requested the restoration of the expunged remarks into the parliamentary records.
“I also wish to draw attention to the speech of Anurag Thakur that was full of allegations. However, surprisingly only one word has been expunged. With due respect to your good self, this selective expunction defies logic,” Gandhi alleged in his letter.
He further conveyed shock and disappointment at the removal of substantial parts of his address, which he argued undermines the principles of parliamentary democracy. “I am shocked to note the manner in which a considerable portion of my speech has been simply taken off from the proceedings under the garb of expunction,” he wrote.
Gandhi emphasized that expunging his remarks contradicts the fundamental tenets of parliamentary democracy, asserting, “Taking off from records my considered remarks goes against the very tenets of parliamentary democracy.”
His speech, delivered amidst a contentious debate in the Lok Sabha, included critical observations on various government policies and actions. The decision to expunge parts of his speech has sparked controversy, with opposition leaders asserting that it limits their ability to hold the government accountable.
The Congress party has stood in solidarity with Gandhi, advocating for a thorough review of the expunction process to safeguard robust and open debate in Parliament. They stress the importance of ensuring that dissenting voices are not stifled in the parliamentary discourse.
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