New Delhi, Sep 13: Facing breach of privilege notice for allegedly making “derogatory” remarks against MPs, Team Anna Hazare member Prashant Bhushan today asked them “not to be so sensitive” to criticism but reflect upon why public perception about them has come to be what it is.
Like his associates Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, who are facing charges of breach of privilege, he also sought tapes or transcripts of TV discussions during which he had made the alleged remarks for replying to the notices given by some MPs against him.
“I would like to say that whatever I have been saying about Parliament, its members and their conduct, is either a statement of fact, or inferences derived from those facts or bonafide comments on those made by me in public interest and to improve the functioning of our democracy.
“...I would therefore urge the house and its members not to be so sensitive about criticism and instead reflect upon why public perception about Parliament and its members has come to be what it is and explore ways and means to improve the functioning of our democracy,” Bhushan said.
In his letter sent to Mukul Pande, Director of Rajya Sabha Secretariat, he said the Article 105 required Parliament to codify its privileges but “unfortunately” this has not been done even 61 years after Independence.
Claiming that the law of defamation is a sufficient safeguard to protect the reputation of MPs, he said, if anyone makes an unfair accusation about Parliament or MPs, it would generally be seen and perceived to be unfair by people.
He said any attempt by to use privileges to stifle freedom of speech of citizens who criticise MPs would only reinforce the feeling that there is a “serious problem” in the functioning of Parliament and that it was trying to stifle those who were raising “uncomfortable questions”. PTI
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