Chennai, Aug 8:
Even as DMK legislator G.V. Markandeyan secured bail in a case related to alleged abusive and threatening remarks against Chief Minister Joseph Vijay at a public rally, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on Friday referred multiple complaints seeking action against him to the Privileges Committee.
“The Privileges Committee is yet to be constituted, and once it is done, the issue will be sent to the panel. Though the remarks were made at a public meeting outside the House, they concern the dignity of the House and the security of its members, and require action as per established procedures. There are precedents for this,” the Speaker said.
If taken up, this would be the first such case under the present government. The Speaker said he had received several complaints, including from Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar and Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna, over Markandeyan’s “break the bone” remark.
“Besides ministers, I have received numerous letters and phone calls urging action. Whether it is hate speech, incitement to violence or indecent remarks, party leaderships must condemn and restrain such statements,” Prabhakar said, reading out excerpts of the speech made by Markandeyan at a thanksgiving meeting in his constituency.
The Speaker noted he had two options — to immediately seek an explanation by putting the matter to vote in the House or to refer it to the Privileges Committee — and chose the latter once the panel is formed.
However, DMK Whip and former Minister E.V. Velu argued that a police case had already been registered and was pending before a court, adding that “punishing twice for the same offence would be inappropriate.”
Responding, the Speaker said his concern was the dignity of the House and the safety of its members, asserting that nothing prevented him from proceeding. He also cited past precedents where similar matters were referred to the Privileges Committee.
In his remarks, Markandeyan said senior party leaders, including M.K. Stalin, Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi and DMK Parliamentary Party leader Kanimozhi, had admonished him, stressing that the office of the Chief Minister must be respected and public discourse should remain within the bounds of decorum. He urged the House to “forget” his remarks.