New Delhi: The new booklet released by the Lok Secretariat containing the words which have been banned by the Parliament or will be considered 'unparliamentary' has invited sharp criticism from the opposition leaders on Thursday. Ahead of the Monsoon Session, the booklet triggered a war of words between the opposition parties and the centre.
Usage of many words - such as 'corruption', 'corrupt', 'Jumlajeevi', 'tanashah', 'Dictator', 'black' and 'Khalistani' are among those that have been banned. Senior members of Parliament including Jairam Ramesh, Derek O'Brien and Randeep Surjewala Priyanka Chaturvedi have questioned the intent behind such a notification.
Slamming the government, TMC leader Derek O'Brien took to Twitter and said, "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."
Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it was time to learn debate from UK Parliament.
"What is the point of parliament if you can't be creative in your criticism? Jumlajeevi ko jumlajeevi nahi bolnege to kya bolenge? Banning words is uncalled for... creativity, punch, messaging, assault on senses thru words 2bring about reform, tellingly putting across a point— all casualties under new Parl dictionary of unparl words!!how can hypricrisy, ashamed, abuse etc be banned?learn robust, incisive, penetrating debate from uk parl (sic)," tweeted
Former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh alleged that all words used by the Opposition to describe the reality of the Modi government will now be considered ‘unparliamentary’. "What next Vishguru?" he said in a tweet.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also targetted the government on the choice of words the booklet contains and said, "Baith jaiye. Baith Jaiye. Prem se boliye. New list of unparliamentary words for LS & RS does not include Sanghi. Basically govt taken all words used by opposition to describe how BJP destroying India & banned them."
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also hit out at the government for the new booklet release and said, "At present they (Centre) are saying that certain words can't be used inside Parliament, tomorrow they'll ask to enter premises in a saffron dress. We've a rules committee in Parliament. They are making a 2nd republic by bringing such rules.."