Anurag Thakur files complaint against TMC MP for smoking e-cigarettes in Parliament

BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Friday filed a written complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking action against a Trinamool Congress MP for allegedly smoking an e-cigarette inside the House.

Thakur had raised the issue in Lok Sabha on Thursday without naming the member. In his written complaint, the Hamirpur MP said a TMC lawmaker was “openly using an electronic cigarette” while seated in the House during the sitting. He added that the act was “clearly visible” to several members present.

Calling the incident a violation of parliamentary decorum and discipline, Thakur said the use of a banned substance and prohibited device inside the Lok Sabha chamber, the “sanctum sanctorum” of Indian democracy, also amounts to a cognisable offence under laws enacted by Parliament.

He said that such conduct lowers the dignity of the House, sets a poor precedent, and sends a dangerous message to the youth at a time when the government has taken a strong stand against tobacco and nicotine products.

Thakur urged the Speaker to take immediate cognisance, order an inquiry through the appropriate parliamentary mechanism, and initiate disciplinary proceedings against the concerned MP.

He also requested “exemplary action” to uphold the sanctity of the House. Birla had said on Thursday that he would take action if a written complaint was submitted.

E-cigarettes were banned in India a few years ago.

Responding to Thakur’s allegations, Trinamool MP Kirti Azad accused him of wasting Lok Sabha’s time. Azad said that any allegation against an MP must be supported with proof and questioned why Thakur did not name the member he referred to. He added that Zero Hour is meant for MPs to raise their issues, but claimed the Speaker had rapped Thakur for misusing the time.

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