Unparliamentary Expressions

Rule 283 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Delhi Assembly provides that if the Hon'ble Speaker is of the opinion that a word or words has been used in the House, which is defamatory, indecent, or unparliamentary, he may order that such words be expunged from the proceedings of the House. These portions are then not printed in the debates of the sitting. 

Thus it is for the Speaker to decide whether words ought to be expunged or not. There may be instances where a particular word is not unparliamentary but the context in which it has been uttered can be objectionable or hurts the propriety. The Speaker in such cases can also order the expunction of the offending remarks.  An expunction from the proceedings can be ordered in the following circumstances:

·               The Speaker may himself hold certain words as defamatory or indecent or unparliamentary or undignified and order their expunction.

·               A member or a Minister may invite the Chair’s attention at the time when the words are uttered and the Speaker may if he agrees with the objection, order the expunction of the words.

·               An officer of the Secretariat may draw the attention of the Speaker towards the offending words.

·               The Member himself may request for expunction of words from his speech. 

Rule 261 of the Rules of Procedure lays down certain rules for Members, which are to be observed while speaking in the House. A Member should not:

·               Express any opinion or make any comment on any matter or fact under consideration of a Court of Justice;

·               Make a personal charge or accusation against a member;

·               Use offensive expressions about the conduct of business of Parliament or the legislature of any State;

·               Reflect on any decision of the House except when a motion for rescinding it is under consideration;

·               Reflect upon the conduct of the President or any Governor or any Court of Justice;

·               Utter treasonable or defamatory words but he may, with the permission of the Speaker, quote them for the purposes of his argument, and

·               Say anything which is derogatory to the Chair or to the House;

·               Refer to Government officials by name;

Any member who contravenes these conditions is liable to have his words expunged from the proceedings.

Close

---