Actor Om Puri and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi’s diatribe against politicians during Anna Hazare’s fast at Ramlila Maidan last week has resulted in members of both houses of Parliament issuing privilege notices against the duo.
Speaker Meira Kumar on Monday told the Lok Sabha that she had received notices for moving a privilege motion against Puri and Bedi for allegedly using derogatory and defamatory language against politicians.
“The matter is under my consideration,” she said. Deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, K Rahman Khan, also confirmed receiving privilege notices against Puri and Bedi.
Standing next to Hazare, Puri told the massive crowd at Ramlila that he felt ashamed to see an IAS or IPS officer salute a ganwaar neta (illiterate politician).
He further said: “Yeh anpadh hain, inka kya background hai? Aadhe se zyaada MP ganwaar aur nalaayak hain (They are uneducated; what’s their background? More than half of the MPs are illiterate and useless).”
Puri on Monday apologised for his statements, saying they were made in the heat of the moment. He also denied allegations that he was drunk when he uttered those words.
“I was not drunk; I was just emotionally charged,” the actor said. “I respect Parliament and the Constitution. It was wrong on my part to use such words.”
One of Hazare’s trusted lieutenants during his 12-day fast for a strong anti-corruption bill, Bedi too lampooned politicians with her ‘ghunghat act’ on stage. She also alleged that the government was playing games and that it was not keen on bringing out a strong anti-corruption bill. She later tweeted that her ghunghat act was a game-changer.
The former IPS officer on Monday told DNA: “I am sorry I cannot apologise for saying what was the truth that moment. I am willing to be punished by the honourable house.”
