Trinamul Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday moved a breach of privilege motion against Zee TV and its editor Sudhir Chaudhary, accusing them of making false claims of plagiarism in connection with her maiden Lok Sabha speech.
Chaudhary had claimed during a TV show and also tweeted that Moitra’s speech had been lifted from a Washington Monthly article in 2017 by American commentator Martin Longman on the “12 early signs of fascism”. The article was about the situation in the US under Donald Trump. Moitra had listed in Parliament what she said were seven signs of fascism, linking her speech to the BJP dispensation.
Moitra has firmly denied the charge and accused Chaudhary of falsely reporting her speech. The first-time MP said she had disclosed her source and so could not be accused of plagiarism.
Speaker Om Birla acknowledged receipt of the privilege notice and said it was under his consideration but allowed Moitra to raise the issue under a special provision after she insisted. The Speaker, however, disallowed her from speaking further after she took the name of Chaudhary.
“Everyone told me that the government is theirs and there was no point raising it. Even if it is a minority of one, truth is the truth. I have faith in your neutrality. Please let me read my statement,” Moitra said. The Speaker repeatedly told her that during Zero Hour, members are allowed to raise only issues of urgent public importance.
“Sir, I have submitted a breach of privilege motion today against Zee TV and its editor… for falsely reporting my maiden address in this august House,” Mahua said. The moment she took the name of Chaudhary, the Speaker intervened and urged her not to take any names. Moitra’s mike was switched off.
The Speaker said the motion moved by Moitra was under his consideration and he would give a ruling on whether it could be admitted.
Moitra has said that in her speech she had acknowledged her “source” as a poster from the Holocaust Museum created by political scientist Laurence W. Brit pointing out 14 early signs of early fascism. This finds mention in Longman’s article too.
