Rahul Gandhi faces privilege notice after Lok Sabha remarks, opposition demands apology

During a Lok Sabha debate on the anti‑paper leak bill on July 29, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi referenced comments by a student that labeled people as "student, idiot and blind devotee." The remarks triggered a strong reaction from members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP MPs called Gandhi’s statements false, misleading and undemocratic, demanding that he apologise to the House and the nation. Several parliamentarians, including Janardan Singh Sigriwal, Mayankbhai Nayak and Nitesh Banerjee, publicly urged an apology and criticised Gandhi for using unparliamentary language.

Minister Anurag Thakur subsequently issued a privilege notice under parliamentary Rule 222, accusing Gandhi of breaching the privileges of the legislature. The notice does not itself remove Gandhi’s membership; the matter will be examined by the Lok Sabha speaker and, if deemed fit, referred to the Privileges Committee for a final decision.