Lawmakers have done some shocking things over the years, including to disrupt proceedings of legislatures. Here is a list of incidents.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu comments about Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury’s laughter during Modi’s speech in the Rajya Sabha has been criticised and justified. But Chowdhury’s laugh pales in comparison to some of the other outrageous things politicians, particularly the men, have done in the hallowed chambers of legislatures.
Sample this:
Two ministers watching porn
Two BJP ministers, one of whom was the women and child welfare minister, were caught watching pornography on a phone in the Karnataka assembly in 2012. This was not an isolated incident: another Karnataka minister was accused of the same in 2016, although he maintained he was looking at pictures of Tipu Sultan.
Used pepper spray in Parliament
A Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh used pepper spray in the Lok Sabha, causing chaos and an eventual evacuation. Some politicians were even taken to hospital, complaining of chest pain and burning eyes. The pepper spray came out after a scuffle over the introduction of the bill outlining the creation of Telangana.
Used mike stands as projectiles
The Uttar Pradesh state legislature made headlines in 1997, when MLAs began hurling microphone stands across the room at each other.
Taken the Speaker’s ceremonial mace
In Tripura, a TMC MLA grabbed the Speaker’s mace from his table and ran out of the assembly in 2016. Assembly staff caught up with him after about a minute and the mace was returned to its position.
Taken the podium away while an MLA was taking oath
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MLAs physically took the podium away from a Samajwadi Party MLA as he tried to take his oath in the Maharashtra assembly in 2009.
Manhandled female MLAs
In Kerala, United Democratic Front MLAs were accused of manhandling women in the state assembly in 2015.
Punched each other
More recently, former AAP MLA Kapil Mishra claimed he was punched in the chest by other AAP MLAs inside the Delhi assembly.
Thrown paper planes at the governor
As recently as Thursday, opposition members hurled paper planes, paper balls, and balloons at Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik while he tried to address them during a joint Budget session. Some Samajwadi Party MLAs wore potatoes around their neck to highlight farmers’ issues. The governor had to cut his speech short.
Thrown paper confetti at each other
In 2014, RJD leader Pappu Yadav threw paper confetti at Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.