Now Reading: TN Speaker sends DMK MLA Markandayan to Privileges Committee
-
01
TN Speaker sends DMK MLA Markandayan to Privileges Committee
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has referred DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan’s public remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the House to the Privileges Committee, once it is constituted. The…
The Story in Brief
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has referred DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan’s public remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the House to the Privileges Committee, once it is constituted. The Vilathikulam MLA was arrested on July 20 after a video of his July 18 speech went viral and was released on bail on August 3.
During Friday’s budget debate, ministers Nirmalkumar and Aadhav Arjuna sought action against Markandayan. The Speaker said the remarks “diminished the dignity of the House.” DMK leader E.V. Velu argued that the MLA should not be punished twice for the same offence. Markandayan later apologised, requesting the House to forget his words. The Hindu and Hindustan Times both report the Speaker’s decision.
The Indian Opinion
DMK cries double jeopardy, but the Speaker’s job is to protect the Assembly’s dignity, not to duplicate a criminal case. Markandayan spoke outside the House, but his words dragged the House and the Chief Minister into the mud. The real test is how the Privileges Committee applies a standard that doesn't depend on which party an MLA belongs to. Will the committee's eventual report treat future offenders from both ruling and opposition benches the same? That is the number to watch.
Sources (2): thehindu.com, hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
