Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday (August 16, 2026) invoked the title of a popular Bollywood movie to defend Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying they can’t be construed as “unparliamentary”.
The Lok Sabha secretariat has sought a response from Mr. Gandhi to two separate complaints of “breach of privilege” filed by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur and Sanjay Jaiswal for his remarks against Mr. Shah during a debate on the anti-paper leak bill. The secretariat has asked Mr. Gandhi to submit his response to the allegations against him by August 28.
“Idiot is not an unparliamentary word. Calling anyone silly is not unparliamentary. The usage of the word hurts those who are silly. It’s government silliness if Gandhi has been issued any notice,” Mr. Raut told reporters.
Recalling Bollywood blockbuster “3 Idiots”, which had received a national award, the Rajya Sabha member argued that if “idiot” is an unparliamentary word, then the Censor Board should be banned.
Mr. Raut alleged the Union Home Minister does not come to Parliament and answer questions.
“All idiots are being brought together, and the governments are being run in Maharashtra and the country,” he alleged.
On Yoga guru Ramdev reportedly warning of a potential new protest over alleged corruption in education and recruitment examinations, Mr. Raut said the former seems to have realised the changing direction of political winds in the country.
“Ramdev seems to have realised that the current government will change. He knows about possible raids by Central agencies after the government is changed and is exercising caution,” Mr. Raut claimed.
Published – August 16, 2026 05:25 pm IST
