Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju told TMC MP Mahua Moitra "We will take appropriate parliamentary action ... You cannot escape"

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra in Lok Sabha today: "We will take appropriate parliamentary action. You cannot escape. 

You are setting a very wrong precedent."

The remarks were made after Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra made a reference to the death of judge B H Loya "long before his time".

The observation triggered row and subsequent uproar in Lok Sabha as Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused her of raising a matter settled by the Supreme Court.

Participating in a debate on 75 years of the Indian Constitution,  Moitra attacked the ruling BJP for allegedly targeting institutions and opposition leaders to silence critical voices.

She made a reference to Loya's death.

The Lok Sabha had to be adjourned twice due to the uproar. After K C Venugopal of Congress made a request to the Speaker Om Birla, the latter urged the members and ministers to conduct in tune with the prestige of the House and confine themselves to debating matters on the Indian Constitution.

Speaker later said he will also look into the records of what the members and the ministers have said.

BJP member Nishikant Dubey first raised the issue after her speech was over. He also objected to her criticism of former chief justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who recently retired, for a host of reasons, including receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence during the Ganapati festival.

Dubey accused Moitra of making insinuation about Loya's death.

Nishikant Dubey 

Rijiju said the case is settled and the TMC MP's remarks were very serious. There is no question of any link or interference, he added.

 

The Supreme Court, while hearing some pleas, had ruled out any foul play in the death of Loya, saying he had died of natural causes.

His death in 2014 had created a major row following a media report alleging foul play, as he was hearing a politically sensitive case. After looking into the matter, the apex court had said there was no merit in PILs alleging foul play. 

Participating in the debate, BJP member from UP, Jagdambika Pal claimed that none other than Dr B R Ambedkar had favoured a Uniform Civil Code and those members who have respect for Ambedkar should support the Modi Govt's endeavour to bring such a law. 

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