The recent behaviour of the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha is a disgrace to democracy! The Committee, which is supposed to uphold the highest ethical standards, has been anything but ethical in its treatment of Mahua Moitra, the Member of Parliament from Krishnanagar belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress.
During a meeting of the Committee on Thursday, Smt Moitra was asked a series of unethical and personal questions, including about her personal relationships and her family background. Smt Moitra rightly objected to these questions and stormed out of the meeting.
The Ethics Committee has no right to get into an MP’s personal life. It is supposed to stick to job ethics and policy. The BJP MPs on the Ethics Committee have shown their true colours. They are not interested in upholding ethics. They are only interested in harassing, intimidating and slut-shaming the honourable lady.
The attitude of the BJP MPs on the Ethics Committee is concerning. It is a sign of their deep disrespect for women and for the democratic process. The Ethics Committee is supposed to be a bipartisan body, but the BJP MPs have turned it into a kangaroo court.
The BJP MPs on the Ethics Committee should apologise to Smt Moitra for their deplorable and disrespectful line of questioning. They should also resign from the Committee. The Committee cannot be allowed to function under their leadership.
The BJP MPs’ attitude towards Smt Moitra is a violation of the core meaning of ethics. Ethics is about upholding the highest standards of conduct and treating others with respect. The BJP MPs have done neither. They have shown that they are unfit to serve on the Ethics Committee.
The Honourable Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the custodian of the House, should take immediate action to address this situation. He should suspend the BJP MPs from the Ethics Committee and launch an inquiry into their misbehaviour. The Speaker should also take stringent steps to ensure that the Ethics Committee is reformed so that it can function in a fair and impartial manner.