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Rajya Sabha adjourned amid row over ‘lungiwala’ remark against CPI(M) MP John Brittas
India🏛️ PoliticsCenter11 days ago

Rajya Sabha adjourned amid row over ‘lungiwala’ remark against CPI(M) MP John Brittas

During the Monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi on August 12, 2026, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned after a protest erupted over an allegation by CPI(M) MP John Brittas that BJP MP Sushmita Dev referred to him as 'lungiwala' during parliamentary proceedings. Brittas claimed that while he was addressing a statutory resolution, Dev left her seat and heckled him, calling him by the term, which he argued was disrespectful to regional identity. Opposition MPs protested outside Parliament House, some wearing mundu as a symbol of unity in diversity. The chairman of the Rajya Sabha warned against remarks that could hurt sentiments, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and regional identities. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that Dev should be given an opportunity to respond, and when the House reconvened later, Dev defended herself by highlighting the diversity of attire across states.

The Rajya Sabha adjourned abruptly on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, amid a heated dispute involving CPI(M) MP John Brittas and BJP MP Sushmita Dev. The controversy erupted during the Monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi, when Brittas accused Dev of addressing him derogatorily as “lungiwala” while he was presenting a statutory resolution against the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The incident led to a disruption in proceedings, prompting the House to adjourn just 21 minutes into its pre-lunch session. Opposition members, including Brittas, took to the floor to voice their concerns, emphasizing the importance of respecting India’s cultural diversity and the dignity of parliamentary discourse. Brittas described the situation as a matter of honor for the House, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that I raise this matter. It is a question of the prestige and honour of the House.” He highlighted his identity as a South Indian and a Malayali, underscoring how the Constitution celebrates the nation’s pluralism. According to Brittas, Dev had left her assigned seat and repeatedly interrupted him, using the term “lungiwala” to refer to him. He claimed that this was not merely an interruption but an act of disrespect toward his attire and regional identity. The protest extended beyond the House, with Opposition MPs gathering at Makar Dwar, the main entrance to Parliament House. Many among them wore mundu, a traditional garment worn by men in southern India, as a symbolic gesture of unity and resistance. They chanted slogans celebrating “unity in diversity,” reflecting the broader political tensions surrounding the issue. Meanwhile, Treasury Bench members argued that Dev should be granted an opportunity to respond to the allegations, asserting that the process required fairness and due consideration of all perspectives. Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan intervened, cautioning members against remarks that might harm the sentiments of fellow parliamentarians. He emphasized that the House’s culture was uniquely inclusive and that there should be no disrespect towards the cultural traditions or regional identities of colleagues. His directive underscored the need for decorum and mutual respect within the legislative body. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju supported the idea of allowing both parties to present their cases, noting that the House must uphold its standards of conduct and ensure that all voices are heard. Later in the afternoon, the House reconvened at 2 p.m., and Deputy Chairman Harivansh invited Dev to speak. She responded by clarifying that she is a Bengali from Assam and that she has witnessed the varied attire and customs across different states. Dev asserted that neither she nor any other member had ever cast aspersions on the clothing of any region. She expressed willingness to engage directly with Brittas if needed and reiterated that the House should not foster divisions based on culture or religion. Leader of the House J.P. Nadda echoed these sentiments, urging the Chair to facilitate a meeting between the two MPs to resolve the misunderstanding. As the debate continued, the focus remained on resolving the conflict while maintaining the integrity of parliamentary procedures. Both sides appeared committed to dialogue, though the underlying tensions reflected deeper ideological divides. With the House adjourned temporarily, the situation remains under review, pending further clarification and resolution.

2 reports

The Hindu logoThe HinduIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8011 days ago
Rajya Sabha adjourned amid row over ‘lungiwala’ remark against CPI(M) MP John Brittas

During the Monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi on August 12, 2026, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned after a protest erupted over an allegation by CPI(M) MP John Brittas that BJP MP Sushmita Dev referred to him as 'lungiwala' during parliamentary proceedings. Brittas claimed that while he was addressing a statutory resolution, Dev left her seat and heckled him, calling him by the term, which he argued was disrespectful to regional identity. Opposition MPs protested outside Parliament House, some wearing mundu as a symbol of unity in diversity. The chairman of the Rajya Sabha warned against remarks that could hurt sentiments, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and regional identities. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that Dev should be given an opportunity to respond, and when the House reconvened later, Dev defended herself by highlighting the diversity of attire across states.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the incident as a dispute between two political parties, but does not clearly favor either side. While there is tension between the opposition and the ruling party, the reporting remains balanced, quoting both Brittas and Dev, as well as the chairman and minister. The focus ison

Why factuality (90): The article provides a detailed account of the events, including the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha, the protest by Opposition MPs, and the specific allegations made by Brittas. It includes direct quotes from Brittas and mentions the support from Opposition members, aligning closely with the cross-s

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, presenting both the allegations and the response from the Treasury Bench. While there is some emotional language ('heavy heart'), the overall framing remains balanced, giving space to both sides of the argument.

Hindustan Times logoHindustan TimesIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 7011 days ago
John Brittas vs Sushmita Dev ‘lungiwala’ row escalates as BJP MP moves privilege notice against CPI(M) leader

A dispute between CPI(M) leader John Brittas and BJP MP Sushmita Dev over remarks about traditional attire has escalated in Parliament. Brittas accused Dev of repeatedly calling him 'lungi-wala' (a term referencing traditional South Indian clothing) during his speech on a statutory resolution. In response, Brittas filed a breach of privilege notice against Dev. Dev denied making disparaging remarks about any state's attire and offered to meet Brittas directly to resolve the issue. Parliamentary authorities, including Chairman CP Radhakrishnan and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, intervened, urging both members to avoid hurting each other's sentiments and requesting that both parties be heard. Leader of the House JP Nadda emphasized the government's respect for all regional cultures and insisted that Dev be given an opportunity to respond formally.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the conflict between two politicians in a balanced manner, quoting both parties involved and including statements from parliamentary officials. It avoids taking sides or using biased language, focusing on the sequence of events and responses from multiple stakeholders.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the escalation of the row between John Brittas and Sushmita Dev, including the breach of privilege notice and the allegations of derogatory remarks. It references PTI as a source and aligns with the cross-source consensus that the dispute involves accusations of stereo

Why objectivity (70): The tone leans slightly towards the BJP side, emphasizing Brittas' perspective and the disruption caused by Dev. While it presents both sides, the emphasis on the 'breach of privilege' and the emotional language around 'heavy heart' suggests some editorial influence.

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