Privilege breach notice filed against Sonia Gandhi over “poor” remark against President Draupadi Murmu
New Delhi: In response to Congress parliamentary party leader Sonia Gandhi’s “poor thing” comments on President Droupadi Murmu, tribal members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have filed a breach of privilege case against her.
They said the Rajya Sabha MP’s remarks were an expression of her “anti-tribal” and “elitist” views.
Citing parliamentary ethics and the rules of conduct, the governing party’s MPs asked in the letter that Gandhi be disciplined. The seasoned congressman, they said, had not yet grasped the “struggle and sensitivity of a tribal poor.”.
We draw attention to this remark with great worry since it seems to diminish the dignity and stature of the President of India, who is our country’s highest constitutional authority. “Such statements not only betray the honor of the position but also transgress the sacredness of parliamentary processes and customs,” the letter to the chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Monday said.
The MPs said that in order to preserve the integrity of parliamentary procedures and to strengthen the “principles of decorum,” it was essential to take notice of the situation and begin disciplinary proceedings against Sonia Gandhi.
Our sincere request is that you look into this issue and take suitable disciplinary measures against Smt. Sonia Gandhi. In their letter, the MPs said that such action is necessary to strengthen the values of decorum and respect for one another, which are fundamental to the efficient operation of our democratic institutions, as well as to preserve the integrity of parliamentary norms.
Sonia Gandhi created controversy by claiming that the president “could hardly speak, poor thing.” In response, BJP MPs tabled a privilege motion.
“The president was getting very tired by the end…she could hardly speak, poor thing,” Sonia Gandhi said to reporters.
Her comments followed President Murmu’s joint speech to both Houses of Parliament, which kicked off the 2025–2026 Budget session. She said in her speech that India’s economy would grow to become the third largest in the world thanks to government initiatives.
