Supreme Court Warns Against Indecency in Parliamentary Speech
The Supreme Court ruled that the right to speak in Parliament does not grant members the liberty to insult, humiliate, or defame fellow legislators, ministers, or the chair. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh stressed that respect and decorum are essential for the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
The court also noted, “There is no place for aggression and indecency in legislative proceedings. Members must uphold respect and dignity towards each other, ensuring discussions remain productive and issue-focused.”
Sunil Kumar Singh’s Expulsion Declared Harsh and Disproportionate
The bench examined the case of RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh, who was expelled from the Bihar legislative council on July 26, 2024, for raising slogans against CM Nitish Kumar and displaying unruly behavior in the House.
- The motion to expel Singh was passed through voice vote after the ethics committee submitted its report.
- He was accused of mimicking the chief minister’s body language and questioning the competence of the ethics committee.
The court ruled that his expulsion was excessive and could undermine democratic values. It stated that removing an elected member affects not just the individual but also their constituents.
“Democracy thrives on participation. Even a brief absence can limit a legislator’s ability to contribute to key decisions,” the bench observed.
Constitutional Courts Can Review Legislative Punishments
The Supreme Court clarified that constitutional courts have the authority to examine the proportionality of punishments imposed by the legislature. It emphasized that while maintaining discipline in the House is crucial, punishments must align with constitutional and democratic norms.
With this ruling, the court reinforced the importance of fair legislative processes, ensuring that disciplinary actions do not restrict elected representatives from fulfilling their duties.
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