Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday accused Rahul Gandhi of flouting the rules after the Lok Sabha erupted in chaos and proceedings were disrupted over the Leader of the Opposition's citation of remarks attributed to former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane.
Speaking after the proceedings of the House, Rijiju said that the government initiated the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address and was to hear Rahul Gandhi, but he flouted rules since the beginning of his speech.
"Right from the beginning, Rahul Gandhi flouted rules and started quoting from a book whose publication and authenticity are not clearly mentioned. Defence Minister and all of us said that the House will function as per rules and one should speak as per rules."
Hitting out at Gandhi for a constant violation of rules and wasting time of the House, Rijiju said, "One cannot challenge the Chair. Even after the ruling of Lok Sabha Speaker, Rahul Gandhi kept repeating the same mistake...He wasted half an hour, violated rules and kept saying the same thing. He started speaking on China border...Can Congress party bring back the landmass that was captured by China in 1959 and 1962?...Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation...If someone is born in a known family, are they above the Parliament? Are they above the rules? India is a democratic nation and function as per rules."
Parliament on Monday saw a heated argument between the Treasury and the Opposition Benches after Gandhi cited what he called the unpublished memoir of the former army chief to claim the Chinese army was infiltrating the Indian territory.
What are the rules?
The rules related to the proceedings of the Lok Sabha are written in a statutory rulebook named "Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha", adopted under Article 118(1) of the Constitution.
Rules on President's Address: According to Rule 17 under Chapter V, on the day or days or a part of a day for discussion on the President's Address, the House shall discuss the matters referred to in such Address on a Motion of Thanks.
The rule is defined as the "scope of discussion" on the President's Address in the rulebook. A discussion other than an address can only take place under Rule 19(a), which grants liberty to introduce bills.
Rule 19 (b) makes it apparent that any other business can be taken up only before the House commences or continues the discussion on the Address.
Rules on Citation: Under Rule 349 (i), a member of the Lok Sabha shall not read any book, newspaper or letter except in connection with the business of the House.
Rules on allegations and citation: Rule 353 under Chapter XXVII (26) titled "General Rules of Procedures," stops MPs from quoting allegations.
To quote allegations, an MP needs to give a notice to the Speaker and the Minister concerned so that the minister may be able to make an investigation into the matter for a reply.