Partap Singh Bajwa criticised reported moves to expel Rahul Gandhi, calling it a dangerous precedent that weakens democracy and undermines Parliament’s role as the highest forum of accountability.
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa on Friday condemned reported moves to expel Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, calling it a dangerous precedent that strikes at the core of India’s democratic framework.
Bajwa said Parliament is the highest forum of accountability in a democracy and raising questions on behalf of citizens cannot be treated as an offence.
“If asking questions in Parliament becomes a crime, then democracy itself stands on trial. Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, has a constitutional responsibility to question the government on matters of national importance. Any attempt to penalise him for fulfilling that duty weakens the very foundation of our republic,” he said.
He argued that describing Gandhi’s parliamentary interventions as “anti-national” shows growing intolerance toward democratic scrutiny. “Threatening to expel him exposes a deep discomfort with accountability. A confident government responds to questions with facts and debate, not with intimidation and procedural threats,” Bajwa added.
The Congress leader stressed that the issue goes beyond any specific document or remark. He said the controversy reflects a broader attempt to curb dissent within Parliament. “This is not about a book; this is about silencing scrutiny. India’s parliamentary traditions are built on robust debate and mutual respect. Weaponising parliamentary procedures against opposition undermines these traditions and diminishes the dignity of Parliament,” he said.
