‘Lungiwala’ remark row rocks Rajya Sabha: What happened between Sushmita Dev, John Brittas — All you need to know

Lungiwala Remark Row Rocks Rajya Sabha: Complete Breakdown

Theindiapostdaily.com – A heated controversy erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday when BJP MP Sushmita Dev faced allegations of calling CPI(M) MP John Brittas “lungiwala” during parliamentary proceedings. The Lungiwala remark row rocks Rajya Sabha as Chairman CP Radhakrishnan adjourned the morning session until 2 pm to allow both MPs to present their versions of events.

What Triggered the Parliamentary Commotion?

The incident traces back to August 10, when Brittas was addressing the House on a statutory resolution opposing the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. According to Brittas, Dev moved from her designated seat to position herself directly behind him and repeatedly referred to him as “lungiwala” while he was speaking.

“She repeatedly called me lungiwala,” Brittas alleged during his statement in the House. “She made derogatory remarks against me, calling me a lungiwala while I was moving a statutory resolution.”

Brittas further revealed that his senior party colleague Sukhendu Sekhar Roy had cautioned Dev about making such remarks. The CPI(M) leader had previously filed a privilege motion against Dev over the alleged comments.

Dev’s Response and Counter-Motion

Following the adjournment, Dev clarified her position on the floor of the House. “I am a Bengali from Assam. I have seen different states where we wear different attire and clothes. Neither I nor any members have cast aspersions on any state’s attire,” she stated firmly.

The BJP MP emphasized that Parliament should not send any message suggesting division in India, whether along cultural or religious lines. “No message from this House should go that any member wants division in India whether culturally or on the basis of religion,” Dev declared.

Dev also revealed she had filed a breach of privilege motion against Brittas, which remains pending before the Rajya Sabha Chairman. She claimed to possess a video recording from 4:34 pm on August 10, when the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill was under discussion.

Opposition Protests and Cultural Significance

The controversy quickly extended beyond the parliamentary chamber. Opposition MPs staged demonstrations in the Parliament complex, carrying placards with messages like “Our pride, not your prejudice” and “Hey BJP stop cultural policing.”

AAP MP Sanjay Singh highlighted the cultural significance of Brittas’ attire. “The way our colleague John Brittas comes to the House wearing a lungi, which is part of the culture of South India, the culture of Malayalam and Keralite people, Tamil culture, Karnataka culture, Odisha culture, Andhra culture and Telangana culture,” Singh explained.

Looking Ahead: Resolution Through Privilege Proceedings

Leader of the House JP Nadda suggested that the differences between the two MPs could be resolved through direct dialogue in his chamber. Dev, while speaking to reporters, expressed surprise at how the issue had been portrayed in Kerala, a state she said she deeply respected.

“I myself come from North-East; we wear mekhalas, we wear dhotis, for this to be spread is completely misleading, and I hope the people of Kerala will wait till the privilege motion is decided to see who’s right and who’s wrong,” she mentioned.

FAQ: Understanding the Lungiwala Remark Row

Q: What does “lungiwala” mean? A: “Lungiwala” is a term referring to someone who wears a lungi, a traditional garment commonly worn in Kerala and other southern Indian states.

Q: When did the original incident occur? A: The incident took place on August 10, 2026, during the discussion of the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance in the Rajya Sabha.

Q: What actions have both MPs taken? A: Brittas filed a privilege motion against Dev, while Dev filed a counter breach of privilege motion against Brittas, both pending before the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

Q: How did the Rajya Sabha respond? A> Chairman CP Radhakrishnan adjourned the morning session until 2 pm to allow both MPs to present their versions of events.