Venugopal Challenges Jitendra Singh’s ‘No Firing’ Remark, Seeks Action Through Privilege Notice

Congress MP and Public Accounts Committee Chairperson K C Venugopal on Friday moved a privilege notice against Union Minister Jitendra Singh, alleging that the minister misled the Lok Sabha by stating that no firing had taken place during recent student protests. The notice has sought action against the minister under parliamentary privilege rules, escalating a political dispute over the events surrounding the demonstrations. Venugopal submitted the notice under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.

In his submission, the Congress leader urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to initiate privilege proceedings against Jitendra Singh and refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges for examination. The committee is responsible for reviewing allegations related to breaches of parliamentary privilege and determining whether further action is required. The privilege notice referred to remarks made by Jitendra Singh on July 29 while responding to a debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

During his reply in the House, the Union Minister addressed allegations raised by opposition members regarding the handling of protests by students and rejected claims that authorities had opened fire on demonstrators. Singh had stated that there was no instance of firing during the protests and said that only tear gas was used by security personnel. "It has been repeatedly clarified that no firing took place at all. Tear gas was used. So, when no firing took place at all, the question of giving an order does not arise," the minister said during his response in Lok Sabha.

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Venugopal, however, has alleged that the minister’s statement was incorrect and amounted to misleading the House. In his privilege notice, he argued that the remarks required examination by the Committee of Privileges to determine whether they constituted a breach of parliamentary conduct. The Congress MP’s move has brought the issue back into focus, with the Opposition seeking greater scrutiny of the government’s handling of the protests. Privilege notices in Parliament are mechanisms through which members can raise concerns over alleged breaches of parliamentary privileges, including instances where they believe incorrect information has been provided to the House.

If accepted by the Speaker, such notices may be examined further through parliamentary procedures, including referral to the Committee of Privileges. The matter now rests with the Lok Sabha Speaker, who will decide whether the privilege notice requires further consideration. The development adds to ongoing political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition over issues related to student protests, government accountability and the functioning of parliamentary oversight mechanisms. Both sides have maintained their respective positions, with Venugopal seeking an inquiry into the minister’s remarks and Singh’s statement remaining part of the official record of the Lok Sabha proceedings.

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