Lok Sabha Speaker warns Anurag Thakur over use of cellphone

New Delhi: Acting on the complaint of some Opposition members, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday warned BJP member Anurag Thakur for allegedly making a video on his mobile phone camera while being inside the House on Monday.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said although nothing had come to her notice, she has asked Mr Thakur to tender an apology in the House to which Thakur said: “Mobile se agar kisiko aapattee hai to ... Mein khed vyakt karta hoon (If someone has objections to (my) mobile use, I apologise),” Mr Thakur said.

Ms Mahajan then told Thakur: “I am warning you... Dobara galti nahi honi chahiye (The mistake should not be repeated).”

The Speaker’s stricture had the Opposition in arms which demanded stronger action against Thakur as was taken against AAP’s Bhagwant Mann during the Winter Session in December leading to his suspension from the House for two sessions for video recording inside Parliament.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wanted to know why action was not being taken against Mr Thakur, even though Mr Mann had faced suspension for shooting a video outside the House but inside Parliament complex.

Participating in a discussion, TMC MP Sougata Ray also raised the issue of suspension of six Congress MPs.