Unparliamentary words

In News: Ahead of the Monsoon Session, Lok Sabha Secretariat compiled a list of 151 words, deemed unfit for use in Parliament.

• The new list has words and phrases disallowed not only in the Indian Parliament, but also in various state assemblies, as well as some parliaments of other countries.

The rules

• While Article 105(2) of the Constitution lays down that no MP shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof.
• But whatever an MP says is subject to the discipline of the Rules of Parliament, the good sense of Members, and the control of proceedings by the Speaker.
• These checks ensure that MPs cannot use defamatory or indecent or undignified or unparliamentary words inside the House.
• Rule 380 (“Expunction”) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha says: “If the Speaker is of opinion that words have been used in debate which are defamatory or indecent or unparliamentary or undignified, the Speaker may, while exercising discretion order that such words be expunged from the proceedings of the House.”
• The state legislatures too are guided mainly by the same book.

How the list is prepared

• If a member uses a word that could be unparliamentary and hurts the decorum or dignity of the House, the head of the reporting section sends it to the Speaker or the presiding officer citing relevant rules and precedence with a recommendation to expunge them.
• The Speaker has the discretion under Rule 380 to expunge the word or usage.
• At the end of the session, a compilation of words removed from the records, along with reasons, is sent to the Speaker’s office, Sansad TV and the editorial service for information.
• The focus on expunging a remark is on the context.

Source: Indian Express

The Hindu