Congress chief submits privilege notice against Shah for 'defamatory' remark

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman a privilege notice against home minister Amit Shah for his controversial remarks on B R Ambedkar.

In his notice, the leader of opposition in the Upper House alleged that Shah's remarks on Dec 17, in his address to the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the 'Glorious journey of 75 years of the Constitution', were "insulting and defamatory".

" ...it is well established that any misconduct in the presence of the House or casting reflections and making defamatory statements constitute a breach of privilege and contempt of the House," he noted.

"The wording as well as the tone and tenor of the remarks made by the home minister are clearly satirical and made in a very bad taste.

"To use the name of B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of Constitution of India, is a clear cut insult to Ambedkar. These remarks which have been made on the floor of the House are outright derogatory in nature and affront to Ambedkar," he claimed in his notice.

Noting that such a conduct by the home minister is tantamount to breach of privilege and contempt of the House, Kharge said, "In view of the foregoing, I request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against Shri Amit Shah, minister of home affairs."

Congress and other opposition parties are seeking the resignation and sacking of Shah for his remarks.

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