New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) — The Delhi Assembly took a significant step on Friday by issuing a warning to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and two other leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for their contempt towards the House. This warning is related to the dissemination of a "fabricated and unfounded narrative" regarding a supposed ‘Phansi Ghar’ (Execution Room) within the Assembly's precincts.

The resolution, passed under Rule 77(1)(a), also included warnings for former Speaker Ram Niwas Goyal and ex-Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla. Speaker Vijender Gupta emphasized that while the House maintains the authority to impose strict penalties, including imprisonment, it opted to exercise restraint and issue a formal warning to preserve the legislature's dignity.

During his address, Gupta highlighted the seriousness of the situation, expressing his alarm over the "manufactured narrative" suggesting the existence of a ‘Phansi Ghar’ within the Assembly. He underscored that linking this esteemed building to an execution chamber undermines its historical significance.

"The Assembly is engaged in this matter with complete fairness. The contempt has been established. Although no court in India can provide relief regarding legislative privilege, we are proceeding based on the integrity of this institution," he stated, referencing findings from the Committee of Privileges.

Gupta reminded the Assembly members that this House is not just a structure but a vital symbol of India’s struggle for freedom. He pointed out several historical milestones, noting that this is the only legislative chamber that Mahatma Gandhi ever visited to observe proceedings.

In his autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth (Page 396), Gandhi recounts attending the debate on the Rowlatt Bill here in March 1919. He noted that the infamous Rowlatt Act was enacted in this very House on March 18, 1919, after which he initiated the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Furthermore, Gupta recalled the tragic shooting of peaceful demonstrators at Chandni Chowk on March 30, 1919, an event Gandhi described as a precursor to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, illustrating the consequences of decisions made within these walls.

He criticized the previous disregard for Delhi’s rural martyrs while "false narratives" about execution rooms circulated. Gupta presented historical documentation regarding the 1918 War Conference held in the Assembly, which led to the recruitment of 1.3 million Indians for World War I.

He shared records of memorial stones from villages including Bawana, Kanjhawala, Alipur, Badli, Najafgarh, and Mehrauli, honoring the hundreds of rural youths who laid down their lives. He concluded by stating that a forthcoming report from the Committee will specifically tackle the lies surrounding the ‘Phansi Ghar’ narrative.

Gupta reiterated that the Assembly Secretariat and the Committee of Privileges will ensure that misinformation or defiance from officials will not compromise the sanctity of the House.