New Delhi

K C Venugopal on Tuesday submitted a privilege notice against Narendra Modi to Om Birla, alleging that the prime minister cast aspersions on Members of Parliament during his televised address to the nation after the defeat of legislation linked to women’s reservation.

The notice was filed under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. It relates to the prime minister’s April 18 address, delivered a day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the House.

Venugopal alleged that during the 29-minute speech, the prime minister criticised opposition parties, commented on their voting behaviour, and attributed motives to MPs. He argued that reflecting on or imputing motives to members over speeches or conduct inside Parliament amounts to a serious breach of privilege and contempt of the House.

In his submission, the Congress leader urged the Speaker to take cognisance of the matter and refer it to the Committee on Privileges for a detailed inquiry and possible proceedings. He said questioning elected representatives for discharging their parliamentary duties was not merely a personal attack but an affront to Parliament’s authority and the democratic rights of citizens.

Venugopal also claimed that the bill, presented as a measure to implement women’s reservation, sought broader constitutional changes concerning delimitation and therefore faced opposition resistance. He said MPs were performing their constitutional responsibilities in opposing it.

Jairam Ramesh backed the move and said a sitting prime minister’s address to the nation should be reserved for moments of national unity and confidence-building, not partisan criticism. He alleged the speech repeatedly targeted the Congress party.

The notice further cited Article 105 of the Constitution, arguing that members enjoy protections enabling them to act independently within Parliament and that public criticism of their voting conduct by the executive could undermine those privileges.

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The Speaker’s office has not yet publicly indicated whether the notice will be admitted for further consideration.