Speaker warns Trinamool Congress members for displaying umbrellas in Lok Sabha

Anguished over display of slogan-written umbrellas inside Lok Sabha by TMC members, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday warned them not to force her take action against erring parliamentarians.

"There are provisions for disciplinary action against erring members. We are the ones who should be seen as ideal people. ... Let me not take action. Allow me to run the House smoothly without taking any action," she said soon after Question Hour.

Without naming anyone or a party, she also chided them for using unparliamentary and foul language and asked the members to maintain decorum and discipline. "Such behaviour is neither acceptable nor justified," she said.

"Many visitors come to the House and even children are also there. We have to maintain decorum. We have strict rules for them, disallowing them to carry various items with them and have stringent punishment for those who violate these rules," Mahajan said.

Her comments came a day after Trinamool Congress members brought in black umbrellas with anti-government slogans painted on them to highlight the demand for bringing back black money stashed abroad. Mahajan had taken strong exception to this form of protest on Tuesday also.

"Many of the members had brought umbrellas. Many of them shouted slogans, and some of them made sarcastic comments. Such behaviour is not expected. This is not correct," she said.

"We keep urging members to maintain the dignity of the House. We have told all members many times that you are not supposed to bring in any placards or articles inside the House. This House belongs to all of you. It is our responsibility to maintain decorum," the Speaker said. She said the opposition had every right to raise any issue "but there are ways to protest".