Privilege notices against Om Puri in Parliament

NEW DELHI: Thespian Om Puri became the victim of privilege motions in both houses of Parliament for making comments against members of Parliament when he went to Ram Lila Maidan last week in support of social activist Anna Hazare.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said she had received question of privilege dated 27 August from ten MPs of different parties against Puri for ?allegedly using derogatory and defamatory words against members of Parliament and casting reflections on the House.?

She said that the matter was under her consideration.

In the Rajya Sabha, two members gave similar privilege notices against Puri, and against former cop Kiran Bedi and lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

Reacting to the notices, Puri told indiantelevision.com that he was sorry if his remarks were considered defamatory, and was prepared to face the Privileges Committee and say so.

However, he said the remarks of one Member of Parliament that he was drunk when he spoke had also hurt him, but he was unable to act as MPs enjoyed Parliamentary privilege for they said inside the houses of Parliament.

He said he had problems with his knees and needed some help in climbing and had, therefore, leaned on a step to climb the rostrum at Ram Lila Maidan, but that did not mean he was drunk.