Suspend me, TMC MP Derek challenges Parliament's censor order ahead of Monsoon session

TMC's Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien has slammed the diktat after the Lok Sabha Secretariat banned the use of words like 'betrayed' and 'hypocrisy' in Parliament.

Lashing out at the government’s decision to designate certain words as unparliamentary, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien said that he would ensure that he uses such “basic” terms. He also challenged the Speaker to suspend him.

The Lok Sabha secretariat on Wednesday released a booklet terming the use of words like 'jumlajeevi', 'baal buddhi', 'Covid spreader' and 'Snoopgate' and even commonly used words like 'ashamed', 'abused, 'betrayed', 'corrupt', 'drama', 'hypocrisy', and 'incompetent' as “unparliamentary” in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The diktat comes ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, slated to begin on July 18. Words like 'anarchist', 'Shakuni', 'dictatorial', 'taanashah', 'taanashahi', 'Jaichand', 'vinash purush', 'Khalistani' and 'khoon se kheti' would also be expunged if used during debates or otherwise in both the houses.

Words listed as unparliamentary include 'anarchist', 'gaddar', 'girgit' (chameleon), 'goons', 'ghadiyali ansu' (crocodile tears), 'apmaan' (disrespect), 'asatya' (untruth), 'ahankaar' (vanity), 'corrupt', 'kala din' (black day), 'kala bazaari' (black marketing), and 'khareed farokht'.

Asserting his defiance to toe the government’s line, Derek O’Brien tweeted: “Session begins in a few days. Gag order issued on MPs. Now, we will not be allowed to use these basic words while delivering a speech in Parliament: Ashamed. Abused. Betrayed. Corrupt. Hypocrisy. Incompetent. I will use all these words. Suspend me. Fighting for democracy.”