Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra is facing backlash from various quarters for her recent remarks in the Lok Sabha. In a strong-worded speech during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Moitra lashed out at the government for making "hate and bigotry" a part of its narrative, and alleged that the judiciary and the media have also "failed" the country.
While the comments have now been expunged, she also allegedly spoke disparagingly about the judiciary, citing a case against the former chief justice. While she did not name Ranjan Gogoi, her remarks appeared to be a reference to him. “The sacred cow that was the judiciary is no longer sacred,” Moitra said, as she went on to cite an alleged sexual harassment case against Gogoi.
But even as the government contemplates sending her a privilege notice, and political leaders rage against her, the TMC leader is standing firm. The truth, she said, can "never be expunged."
"It would be a privilege indeed if a breach of privilege motion is initiated against me for speaking the truth during India’s darkest hour," she added in a tweet late on Monday night.
The judiciary was not the only topic Moitra touched upon on Monday.
She alleged that India is facing an "undeclared emergency," and accused the government of dubbing protesting voices—from students to farmers and "old women of Shaheen Bagh," a reference to the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act agitation in Delhi last year—as "terrorists."
Moitra asked why the home ministry had been extending the deadline to frame CAA rules, and demanded that the three new farm laws that have led farmers to protest be repealed.
She also criticised the government's decision to impose a nationwide lockdown following the outbreak of COVID-19, stating that the move inflicted "untold misery" on people as lakhs were forced to walk to their homes hundreds of kilometres away.
(With inputs from agencies)
