Rajya Sabha Adjourned Following Dispute Over Alleged Derogatory Remarks Regarding Attire

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, following a dispute between CPI(M) MP John Brittas and BJP MP Sushmita Dev. The conflict began when Mr. Brittas alleged that Ms. Dev repeatedly referred to him as a lungiwala while he was moving a statutory resolution on Monday. Mr. Brittas, who represents Kerala and was wearing a mundu, described the remark as derogatory and a matter concerning the dignity of the House and respect for India's diversity. He subsequently filed a notice for a motion of privilege against Ms. Dev.

In response, Ms. Dev denied casting aspersions on any state's attire. She stated that as a Bengali from Assam, she respects the diverse clothing of different states. Ms. Dev also alleged that Mr. Brittas had instigated her by calling others turncoats and filed her own notice for a motion of privilege against him for references to religion and party allegiance. One source reported that a video clip of the incident was shown to the Chairman and the parliamentary affairs minister, which allegedly indicated that Mr. Brittas did not make references to religion.

Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan advised members to avoid discourteous comments that could hurt the sentiments of colleagues or disrespect regional identities. Leader of the House J.P. Nadda stated that his party does not subscribe to such statements, noting that they refer to the garment as a dhoti rather than a lungi. He suggested that the misunderstanding could be resolved if both MPs met in his chamber.

Opposition MPs staged a protest at Makar Dwar, where several male members wore mundu to celebrate unity in diversity. The center-left report frames the event as a matter of regional dignity and the protection of cultural diversity. In contrast, the center-right report frames the event as a mutual exchange of barbs and a ruckus between two political opponents.