Vaping row: Anurag Thakur lodges complaint with Lok Sabha speaker
BJP MP Anurag Thakur complained to the Lok Sabha speaker about a TMC MP allegedly vaping inside the Parliament, violating rules and laws.Summary
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur filed a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging that a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP was “constantly smoking e-cigarettes” during Question Hour. Thakur highlighted that e-cigarettes are banned and questioned whether any permission had been granted for their use. Speaker Birla confirmed that no such permission existed and assured strict action upon verification of a formal complaint. The allegations caused brief disruptions in the Lok Sabha, with BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari demanding action under the COTPA Act 2003 and criticizing the silence of Congress leaders. TMC MP Dola Sen dismissed the allegations as “unfortunate lies,” while Kirti Azad requested the BJP to provide proof with the MP’s name. E-cigarettes are banned in India, and smoking is strictly forbidden within the Parliament building.
(Source：Newsbytes)
