Recall Sen: Members to Govt

NEW DELHI: Cutting across party lines, members in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday demanded immediate recall of Indian envoy to the US Ronen Sen for his 'derogatory' remarks against MPs and the media with the government saying no one has a right to cast aspersions on Parliament.

After both Houses witnessed adjournments on the issue earlier in the day, members belonging to different political parties demanded his recall with Speaker Somnath Chatterjee saying he had received privilege notices against Sen and assured the House that 'action will be taken'.

"Let us wait, the Indian Parliament is not powerless. I assure you that action will be taken. Let procedures be followed. We have to follow principles of natural justice," Chatterjee said.

Seeking his recall, the members said he should be called to the bar of the House and admonished for his derogatory remarks against Parliamentarians and the media.

Responding to sentiments expressed by members, Information and Broadcasting Minister PR Dasmunsi said while External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had on Tuesday described Sen's remarks as 'unwarranted and unacceptable', no one had the right to cast aspersions on Parliament and even on the media.

Asserting that government was committed to defend the dignity of the House, he said the demand for Sen's recall would be conveyed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the External Affairs Minister.