Lok Sabha Secretariat List of ‘Unparliamentary Words’

July 15, 2022

Lok Sabha Secretariat released a list of “unparliamentary words” on July 13, 2022. Some of the unparliamentary words include ‘Jumlajeevi, Covid spreader, Snoopgate, Baal buddhi”. It also includes expressions like “ashamed, betrayed, hypocrisy. Abuse, drama, and incompetent”.

Key Facts

As soon as this list was released, a backlash started over the updated booklet of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
The booklet lists some words, which are considered to be unparliamentary in Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha.
Following the backlash, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Prakash Birla stated later that, “no word has been banned” and parliamentarians are free to express their views”.

About the “unparliamentary words” list

According to the Speaker, this list is merely a compilation of expressions that had been removed from records in the past. Earlier, the Secretariat used to release a book of such unparliamentary words in a bid to avoid wastage of papers. Now the government has put the list on internet. This list has been released in 1954, 1986, 1992, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2010 in the past. In year 2010, it was started releasing on yearly basis.

What words have been included?

The booklet was released before Monsoon Session of parliament. It mentions words including Shakuni, dictatorial, taanashah, vinash purush, khoon ki kheti, Jaichand would be removed if they are used during debates or otherwise. Words like Dohra Charitra, nautanki, behri Sarkar, dhindora peetna will also be treated in similar manner. However, chairman of Rajya Sabha and Speaker of Lok Sabha will have the last word in removing words and expressions.

What are Unparliamentary Words?

Unparliamentary words are the abusive or rude words or expressions which are considered unsuitable for use in Parliament. Unparliamentary words are regulated in accordance with Article 105 (2) of the Indian constitution. Under article 105 (2), speech of an MP in parliament is subject to discipline of Parliamentary rules and good sense of the members. Speaker or chairman of the house is empowered to keep check on it, so as to ensure that MPs does not use “defamatory or undignified unparliamentary words” inside the Parliament. Rule 380 and Rule 381 of “Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha” deal with “Expunction (removal of unparliamentary words)”.

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