Tamil Nadu Speaker Refers MLA to Privileges Committee Over Remarks

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar announced Friday he would refer DMK MLA Markandayan G.V. to the House Privileges Committee for remarks he made against the Assembly and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay last month. The MLA had appealed for the Assembly to overlook his comments, made at a public meeting on July 18.

Markandayan, the Vilathikulam MLA, drew criticism after a video of his speech went viral. A case was registered in Thoothukudi district, leading to his arrest on July 20. He was subsequently lodged in Palayamkottai prison before being released on bail on August 3, allowing him to attend the Assembly proceedings.

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honourable member (Markandayan) is now speaking respectfully alongside members of the House. But the speech he delivered outside caused pain in the hearts of everyone, like you and me.

During the session, Energy, Resources and Law Minister R. Nirmal Kumar and TVK General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna urged the Speaker to take action, citing that the MLA's remarks diminished the Assembly's dignity and prestige. Prabhakar acknowledged Markandayan's respectful contributions in the House on Friday but described his earlier speech as "distressing" and "regrettable."

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If the speech made outside targets the Assembly, lowers the dignity of a Member in the Assembly, or compromises Assembly security, it is certainly something I must take note of (as a Speaker). As such, I am referring it to the Privileges Committee. Let them take action after receiving his response.

Prabhakar stated that he had two options: take internal disciplinary action or refer the matter to the Privileges Committee. He opted for the latter, explaining that if a speech outside targets the Assembly, lowers a member's dignity, or compromises security, it warrants attention. The committee will seek an explanation from Markandayan before taking action.

Following the Speaker's decision, former DMK minister E.V. Velu urged Prabhakar to reconsider. However, the Speaker stood firm. Subsequently, Markandayan apologized, requesting the House to forget his words, which he attributed to being spoken "unconsciously" while being raised in a region with strong leaders.

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I was born and raised in the land of freedom fighters including Veerapandia Kattabomman. Being raised in a land where powerful energetic leaders live, the words I told came out of me unconsciously. I humbly request you to forget those words.