MP John Brittas Files Privilege Notice Against BJP's Sushmita Dev Over Remarks

CPI(M) Member of Parliament John Brittas lodged a notice of breach of privilege with Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday. The action was taken against Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sushmita Dev following remarks made by Dev during House proceedings on Monday.

Sources indicated that Brittas took issue with a specific word used by Dev, asserting that it was employed to disparage individuals from South India. He, accompanied by other legislators from Kerala, met with the Chairman to register their objections.

Brittas stated that on Monday, while he was presenting a statutory resolution concerning the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, Dev repeatedly used a particular word to refer to him. Brittas highlighted the historical context of such language being directed at people from South India in Mumbai during the 1960s and 1970s, arguing that such terminology perpetuates stereotypes and diminishes their identity.

When approached for comment, Sushmita Dev indicated her intention to file a reciprocal breach of privilege notice against John Brittas, alleging that he too had made a remark concerning her.

Key Facts

• CPI(M) MP John Brittas submitted a notice of breach of privilege on Tuesday to Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan.
• The notice is against BJP MP Sushmita Dev.
• The complaint stems from remarks Dev allegedly made about Brittas during Rajya Sabha proceedings on Monday.
• Brittas stated the word used by Dev was employed to denigrate people from South India.
• Brittas said the incident occurred while he was moving a statutory resolution against the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.
• Brittas cited the historical use of similar words against South Indians in Mumbai during the 1960s and 70s.
• Sushmita Dev stated she would move a breach of privilege notice against Brittas, alleging he made a remark against her.