'Subjected To Proverbial Vastraharan': Mahua Moitra Writes To Lok Sabha Speaker Over Cash-For-Query Hearing

Mahua Moitra was asked to depose before the Parliament Ethics Committee in connection with the cash-for-query row.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging she was subjected to “proverbial vastraharan” at the Ethics Committee hearing on Thursday. The TMC leader was asked to depose before the committee in connection with the cash-for-query row earlier in the day.

“I write to you in great anguish today to update you on the unethical, sordid and prejudiced behaviour meted out to me at the hearing of the Ethics Committee by the chairman. I have been subjected to the proverbial ‘Vastraharan’ by him in presence of all members of the committee,” Moitra wrote.

My letter emailed to the Honourable @loksabhaspeaker pic.twitter.com/2wGlWTTej6

— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) November 2, 2023

The TMC MP further alleged that instead of asking questions related to the subject, the chairman of the panel exhibited “preconceived bias” in questioning her in a “malicious” and “defamatory” way.

“The committee ought to designate itself under a name other than the Ethics committee as it has no ethics and morality left,” she further wrote.

READ | 'Was Asked Filthy Questions': Mahua Moitra, Oppn Leaders Storm Out Of Parliament Ethics Panel Hearing

In her letter, Moitra wrote the Ethics Committee chairman followed a “sordid line of questioning” and put forth “extremely personal” questions to her.

“We find ourselves in an era where certain individuals brazenly employ abusive and vitriolic language, prompting bigotry and fostering hatred within the hallowed halls of parliament. On the other hand, the Opposition members who dare to question the government and its unscrupulous practices are met with baseless accusations and subjected to incessant harassment,” she wrote.

Notably, Moitra, along with other Opposition leaders, stormed out of the Parliament Ethics Committee hearing, accusing the panel of asking her a bunch of “filthy questions”. 

"Is this an ethics committee?...Asking all sorts of filthy questions,” Moitra can be heard saying in the ANI video.