Key Points

In an interview with ANI, Rijiju noted how he, as a young MP, had imbibed discipline even during protests in Parliament from senior BJP leaders.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has expressed his displeasure over certain actions of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the budget session of Parliament and reminded him to conduct himself in accordance with Rule 349. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that he is not in a position to tell the Congress leader how to behave, but "there are certain etiquettes to be followed."

Rijiju said that Rahul Gandhi should lead by example as a senior parliamentarian and avoid behaviour that breaks established conventions.

"Rahul Gandhi is now a senior leader--he's a four-term MP. I'm nobody to tell him how to behave, but I can certainly point out when something goes against established convention. There are certain etiquettes to be followed. In the House, we've seen many examples--mother and son, mother and daughter, siblings, even husband and wife--serving together. But you don't display personal emotions in the House. Parliament is not a place for showcasing family sentiments. It is a sovereign institution where every member is present for a specific, serious purpose," Rijiju said.

Birla referred to Rahul Gandhi's conduct in the House during the budget session of Parliament last month.

"In this House, father and daughter, mother and daughter, husband and wife have been members. In this context, I expect the Leader of the Opposition to conduct himself in accordance with Rule 349 that deals with rules to be observed by members in the House," he had said.

While the Speaker did not specify the reason for his remarks, a BJP leader shared a video on X of Gandhi cupping the cheeks of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is MP from Wayanad, during the session.

Gandhi later said that remarks against him were "unsubstantiated". The Congress had also alleged that the House was being run in "an undemocratic manner."

Rijiju also expressed his dismay over TMC member Kalyan Banerjee mimicking Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Rahul Gandhi making a video. He said Kalyan Banerjee's behaviour was wrong and he shouldn't have done that.

"That was in bad taste. So at that time, his party and all were cheering....Rahul Gandhi was recording him. At that time, some of the Trinamool MPs also stated outside, of course, not publicly, that that behaviour was wrong and he shouldn't have done that. They were all laughing at that time. They were standing with him and they were laughing... The conduct of the MPS must be impeccable because we are elected people. We are representing lakhs of people," he said.

Drawing from his early days in Parliament, the Union Minister recalled how leaders like LK Advani maintained discipline even during protests, and urged all MPs to uphold the dignity of the institution.

"When Advaniji was the Leader of the Opposition, I was a very young MP, sitting on the last bench. I remember, during a morning parliamentary party meeting, Advani ji told us that when we protest, we should not cross the halfway line. We would stand and protest from our side, without moving towards the ruling benches. But now, the Opposition comes all the way to our side, shouting slogans and creating disruption. They even prevented the Prime Minister from speaking," Kiren Rijiju said.

Rijiju said he follows parliamentary norms and has not broken any of the rules of the House.

"If you look at all my records since my early days, you'll see that I have never said anything that violated the rules or was barred. Secondly, I've been fortunate to have the guidance of great leaders like Advaniji and Vajpayeeji during the early years, and later, Modiji--who is extremely knowledgeable and guides us very well," he said.

"Modiji is absolutely hands-on when it comes to rules, regulations, etiquette, and the responsibilities towards Parliament. That's why, when he entered the Parliament House for the first time, he bowed down at the steps, and then inside, he bowed before the Constitution of India before taking the oath. No one had done this before," he added.

Rijiju said Samvidhan Diwas is now observed every year.

"When he was the Chief Minister, he initiated the Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra. And after becoming Prime Minister, he officially declared 26th November as Samvidhan Diwas. Before this, there was no such observance," Rijiju said.

- ANI