BJP MP seeks privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi over ‘false claims’ in Parliament speech

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey has formally written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging the initiation of privilege proceedings against Congress Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The request is based on Gandhi's remarks made during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address on February 3, 2025. Gandhi’s speech raised multiple issues, including allegations regarding national security, foreign relations, and domestic policies.

Gandhi’s speech included claims about the intrusion of Chinese forces into Indian territory, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consistent denials. He stated that the Indian Army had acknowledged the presence of Chinese troops inside Indian territory, citing remarks from the Army Chief. According to Gandhi, the Army Chief had stated that Chinese troops were inside Indian territory, in contradiction to the Prime Minister’s denial. Gandhi’s claim was in response to ongoing concerns about the India-China border situation, specifically the ongoing border tension in Ladakh. His speech triggered strong reactions from BJP MPs, including protests in the Lok Sabha over the unverified nature of these claims.

In response, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a statement clarifying that the Army Chief never made any such statements regarding the presence of Chinese troops inside Indian territory. Singh explained that the Army Chief's comments referred to the disturbance in traditional patrolling patterns along the India-China border, but not to any territorial intrusion. Singh also condemned Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of misleading the public and making unsubstantiated allegations. Additionally, Singh referred to the 1962 Sino-Indian war, during which China occupied the region of Aksai Chin, pointing out that this occurred during Congress rule and claiming that Gandhi should reflect on that part of history.

In his letter, Dubey accused Gandhi of misusing his parliamentary privilege to spread misinformation without verifying or substantiating his claims. He noted that Speaker Om Birla had asked Gandhi to authenticate his claims, particularly those regarding Chinese troops, but Gandhi had failed to do so. Dubey stressed that it was crucial for MPs to uphold the integrity and dignity of Parliament, especially when raising sensitive national security issues. He argued that Gandhi’s remarks were not only baseless but also harmful to the prestige of the country and Parliament. According to Dubey, Gandhi’s conduct was an attempt to mislead the public and defame the country.

The letter further criticized Gandhi for failing to offer an apology or retraction after being asked to substantiate his allegations. Dubey argued that Gandhi’s speech misused the constitutional privileges provided to MPs under Article 105, which grants immunity for speeches made in Parliament. However, Dubey pointed out that this immunity does not grant MPs the right to make baseless or defamatory claims without evidence. He emphasized that parliamentary privilege is intended to protect legitimate debate and discussion, not to allow members to spread unfounded allegations. Dubey called for strict action to ensure that such behavior is not tolerated.

In addition to the allegations regarding national security, Gandhi raised concerns about other issues, including the government’s handling of the Chief Election Commissioner’s appointment and its approach to the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Gandhi also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, stating that it had failed to meet its objectives. He raised a point about India not being invited to the US presidential swearing-in ceremony, suggesting that India had to send Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar multiple times to request an invitation for Prime Minister Modi.

Gandhi’s speech was highly controversial, as it touched upon several critical issues, including foreign relations, electoral matters, and national defense. Dubey’s letter to the Speaker emphasized the importance of ensuring that Parliament remains a forum for responsible debate and not for spreading false claims or engaging in personal attacks. He urged Speaker Birla to take immediate action to address what he termed a “misuse” of parliamentary privilege and to ensure that the facts presented in Parliament are accurate and properly substantiated.