204 veterans seek Rahul Gandhi apology over Parliament protest conduct

A group of 204 retired armed forces officers, ex-bureaucrats and lawyers have demanded Rahul Gandhi apologise for his conduct during a protest in Parliament, calling it a violation of decorum and institutional dignity. The letter was coordinated by former J&K DGP S P Vaid

New Delhi: As many as 204 retired armed forces officers, former civil servants including diplomats, and lawyers on Tuesday demanded that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi apologise to the nation for his conduct inside the Parliament premises, terming it a “violation” of decorum and institutional dignity.

In an open letter, the signatories said Gandhi’s actions during a protest on March 12 within the Parliament House complex amounted to “deliberate defiance” of the Chair and showed “disregard for parliamentary authority”.

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“Despite an explicit instruction issued by the Speaker prohibiting demonstrations or protests within the Parliament premises, the Opposition, led by Gandhi, chose to disregard this directive,” the letter said.

The signatories alleged that Gandhi, along with other MPs, staged a protest on the steps of Parliament despite directions from the Speaker prohibiting demonstrations within the premises. They claimed such conduct was “wholly unbecoming” of members of the country’s highest legislative body and reduced Parliament to a “stage for political theatrics”.

Calling Parliament the “temple of democracy”, the signatories said its dignity must be preserved at all times, including in the corridors and staircases within the complex.

The letter was coordinated by former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S P Vaid and signed by 204 individuals, including 116 retired armed forces officers and 84 ex-bureaucrats, among them four former ambassadors and four senior advocates.

Expressing concern over the “loss of valuable public time”, the signatories said disruptions and protests within Parliament weaken its functioning. They urged accountability to preserve Parliament’s credibility.