Contextual Vocabulary-6

8th Feb-2023

(The article is for the purpose of vocabulary development and understanding not for
making any opinions)

On February 8, Nishikant Dubey requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to move a breach of
privilege motion notice against Rahul Gandhi. The Congress MP made several accusations during
his speech on February 7 in the Lok Sabha against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his relationship with
businessman Gautam Adani.

Dubey, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Godda Lok Sabha constituency, has called for action
against Gandhi, saying the statements were "misleading, derogatory and indecent". Dubey accused
Rahul Gandhi of violating rules by "misleading the house". According to him, accusing PM Modi of
“crony capitalism" without "documentary evidence" was a violation. His letter to Birla says that
Gandhi’s comments on the Modi-Adani connection were “unverified, incriminatory and defamatory".

"This conduct is in clear violation of privileges of House and its members besides being a clear case of
contempt of the House. I request you to take immediate action against Rahul Gandhi for breach of
privilege and contempt of House," the letter reads.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

In the aftermath of the Hindenburg-Adani controversy, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi unleashed a
ferocious attack on the government on February 7. He claimed that "rules were changed" in some
sectors to benefit Gautam Adani and his business. He connected the rise of the Adani group to that of PM
Modi.

Gandhi also said Modi’s relationship with Adani began many years ago during the time the former was a
Gujarat chief minister. According to the Congress MP, after 2014, Gautam Adani's ascent from 609th
place to second place globally on the richest was “real magic".

What do Parliamentary rules say?

As per Parliamentary rules, a complainant “must declare the identity and submit supporting evidence,
documentary or otherwise" to substantiate any allegation against an individual.
“The complainant must declare the identity and submit supporting evidence, documentary or
otherwise to substantiate the allegations," the rules further say. “In case the complaint is made by a
member, it shall be incumbent upon such member to ensure that the complaint is not false,
frivolous or vexatious and is made in good faith. An affidavit shall not be required in case the
complaint is made by a member."

1. breach of privilege
Breach of privilege refers to some of the distinct rights that are enjoyed by the legislators in a
parliament or an assembly without which they cannot discharge their functions and these
rights are peculiar to them and as such are not enjoyed by members of any other institution or
body of individuals
2. Accusations. – Charges, blames, allegations
3. derogatory – Insulting, Derisive, offensive, disparaging
4. crony capitalism"
Crony capitalism, sometimes called cronyism, is an economic system in which businesses
thrive not as a result of free enterprise, but rather as a return on money amassed through
collusion between a business class and the political class.
5. incriminatory - charging or suggestive of guilt or blame.
6. privileges – Special rights
7. contempt – Disrespect, Disapproval, Disdain
8. unleashed – Realeased, Set free
9. ferocious – Fierce, violent, cruel, savage
10.substantiate – To prove,Verify, vindicate, authentcate
11.incumbent- Mandatory, cumpolsory
12.frivolous – Playful, not very serious
13.vexatious – irritating, annoying