The F word

The F word: "The F word
By: Krishnakumar
April 22, 2006

What do the words g***u, chu***a, imaandari and sorry have in common? They are just some of the 387 unparliamentary words that will be expunged, if spoken in the state Assembly!

While some words are deemed as outright unparliamentary, there are some, which seem mild, but still fall in the same category. ‘Sorry’ is one such.

It is obviously allowed when used to apologise, but when used with reference to the Speaker’s ruling or any decision it becomes unparliamentary.

For instance, a member cannot say that a ruling by the speaker is a ‘sorry’ ruling. A member cannot express his difference of opinion with the Speaker’s decision by saying ‘sorry, I think otherwise’, as his decision is final and cannot be disputed under any circumstances.

Other unacceptable phrases are Chhote Sarkar, Bade Sarkar and Monkey House (to refer to House proceedings).

Definition of unparliamentary words is flexible and the list can be updated at any time.

The debate on the ban on dance bars in a recent session of the state Assembly added ‘bomb’ to the list.

A member had used the word to describe an item girl in Bollywood — something the House felt was not decent.

Similarly when a city MLA said, “Main tumhara ‘baap’ hoon” that too was expunged.

Members can’t call each other a ‘hero’, ‘villain’ or even ‘imaandar’. Reason? All MLAs are supposed to be imaandar.

On Thursday, BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar used an unparliamentary word, while Finance Minister Jayant Patil was making his statement.

An angry Patil immediately stopped his speech and angrily told the BJP MLA, “Don’t think you can sit there and make a comment like that!” Patil rose to speak only after Mungantiwar apologised and withdrew his words.

Mungantiwar insisted that he hadn’t abused Patil and claimed that the word c*****a was liberally used in Vidarbha — where he came from - and it was not abusive.

“It might have a different connotation here, but in Vidarbha it is quite common. I just meant that does the minister think we are stupid (another unparliamentary term). I later apologised to Patil and told him what I meant and he said it was okay,” claimed Mungantiwar.

Another BJP MLA Eknath Khadse too used some harsh words, which went unnoticed by members of the House, but could be expunged if objected to.
Khadse and Mungantiwar were both suspended recently for allegedly using foul language with Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende.

The suspension was revoked only after a long discussion between the ruling benches and BJP leaders."