Brittas said the MP came from the treasury benches, stood behind him, disturbed him and started calling him a “lungi wala” NEW DELHI: CPM MP John Brittas has moved a privilege motion against BJP MP Sushmita Dev, alleging that she addressed him as “lungiwala” during proceedings in Rajya Sabha Monday. Dev denied that she had cast aspersions on attire of any state.Brittas raised the issue in the House Wednesday after listed papers were laid on the table at the start of the day. He said a member targeted him with the “lungiwala” remark while he was moving a statutory resolution against the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, Monday.Brittas said the MP came from the treasury benches, stood behind him, disturbed him and started calling him a “lungi wala”.“I’m a proud Indian, South Indian and a proud Malayali… I cherish every moment being a Malayali — our language, culture, cuisine, and of course, our attire,” Brittas said.Making an observation on the issue, Rajya Sabha Chairperson C P Radhakrishnan said he would call the MPs concerned to his chamber to discuss the matter. He also urged MPs to be careful not to hurt the sentiments and feelings of fellow members.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“Our culture is unique and inclusive of diverse regional cultures. There should be no disrespect to the cultural traditions and regional identities of our colleagues,” he said.While parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju requested the chair to allow Dev to put her response on record, leader of the House J P Nadda said govt did not subscribe to such statements and respected every state’s attire.The proceedings were adjourned till 2pm amid the din. Many MPs from south India protested in Parliament complex, shouting “our lungi, our pride” in support of Brittas.When the House reassembled, Dev sought to clarify her position: “I’m a Bengali from Assam. I have seen different states where we wear different attires, clothes. Neither I nor any member has cast aspersions on any state’s attire….”Nadda also offered to resolve the “misunderstanding” between Dev and Brittas.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThreat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In Kashmir, Employees Asked To Stay Alert Amid Security FearChilling Crash Video: Atiq Ahmed’s Son’s Creta Flips After Losing Control On Highway | WatchUdhayanidhi Backs CM Vijay’s Tamil Nadu Delimitation Stand, Demands No Cut In State’s LS SeatsFCRA Bill Sent To 31-Member JPC Amid Opposition Protests, Akhilesh-Rijiju Clash Over MinoritiesRijiju slams opposition over parliament chaos, says ‘running away from debate’Explained: Why Amritpal Singh’s Party Fielded Son of Indira Gandhi’s Assassin In Punjab Elections?Prashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition Demand123PhotostoriesKyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2: From Smriti Irani to Amar Upadhyay, here’s how much the cast earns per episodeBeyond Payasam: Traditional South Indian sweets that deserve a tryPreity Zinta goes full royalcore in an Rs 42,500 fuchsia farshi salwar set for ‘Batwara 1947’ promotionsTaking multiple supplements every day? Doctors warn these common combinations could do more harm than good10 beautiful baby girl names that symbolise graceOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden personality type10 classic, smokey and flavourful tikkas perfect for evening snacking5 everyday phone habits that may be damaging your relationship without you noticingThe science behind coriander leaves turning black in the refrigerator and 4 easy hacks to keep them fresh for long8 Indian dinners with over 30g protein that don’t require protein powder123Hot PicksInternational Youth DayMHT-CET CAP round seat allotmentSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestN ChandrasekaranNEET PG 2026 city slipIran warSBI Clerk RecruitmentUP scholarshipTop TrendingChennai AirportNagpur Rape CaseAir India Phuket-Delhi FlightMumbai Kurla LandslideBengaluru Missing TechieSpiceJet FlightTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani
NEW DELHI: CPM MP John Brittas has moved a privilege motion against BJP MP Sushmita Dev, alleging that she addressed him as “lungiwala” during proceedings in Rajya Sabha Monday. Dev denied that she had cast aspersions on attire of any state.Brittas raised the issue in the House Wednesday after listed papers were laid on the table at the start of the day. He said a member targeted him with the “lungiwala” remark while he was moving a statutory resolution against the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, Monday.Brittas said the MP came from the treasury benches, stood behind him, disturbed him and started calling him a “lungi wala”.“I’m a proud Indian, South Indian and a proud Malayali… I cherish every moment being a Malayali — our language, culture, cuisine, and of course, our attire,” Brittas said.Making an observation on the issue, Rajya Sabha Chairperson C P Radhakrishnan said he would call the MPs concerned to his chamber to discuss the matter. He also urged MPs to be careful not to hurt the sentiments and feelings of fellow members.
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“Our culture is unique and inclusive of diverse regional cultures. There should be no disrespect to the cultural traditions and regional identities of our colleagues,” he said.While parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju requested the chair to allow Dev to put her response on record, leader of the House J P Nadda said govt did not subscribe to such statements and respected every state’s attire.The proceedings were adjourned till 2pm amid the din. Many MPs from south India protested in Parliament complex, shouting “our lungi, our pride” in support of Brittas.When the House reassembled, Dev sought to clarify her position: “I’m a Bengali from Assam. I have seen different states where we wear different attires, clothes. Neither I nor any member has cast aspersions on any state’s attire….”Nadda also offered to resolve the “misunderstanding” between Dev and Brittas.
