Rajya Sabha adjourned over 'Lungiwala' remark row targeting CPI(M)'s John Brittas
Synopsis
A single word — 'Lungiwala' — brought the Rajya Sabha to a standstill on 12 August, forcing an adjournment after CPI(M)'s John Brittas alleged a female member used it as a disrespectful cultural slur. With J.P. Nadda entering the fray to distinguish a dhoti from a lungi, the episode exposed how identity and culture remain live wires on the floor of Parliament.
Key Takeaways
Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on 12 August after an uproar over an alleged culturally disrespectful remark.
CPI(M) member John Brittas alleged a female member called him 'Lungiwala' , which he described as disrespectful to his culture.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said every member is equal and called for the matter to be resolved in the Chairman's chamber.
Leader of the House J.P.
Nadda clarified the garment is a dhoti , not a lungi, and said Sushmita Dev's version should also be placed on record.
Radhakrishnan said he would call the concerned member to his chamber to resolve the issue.
Before the disruption, Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary tabled multiple CAG reports and the House transacted a heavy legislative agenda.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday, 12 August after a sharp uproar erupted over an alleged culturally disrespectful remark directed at Communist Party of India (Marxist) member John Brittas by a female member of the House. The disruption, which drew protests from both treasury and Opposition benches, forced Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan to suspend proceedings mid-session.
The Remark That Triggered the Row
Brittas alleged that a female member had addressed him as 'Lungiwala' — a term he described as disrespectful to him and to his culture. The allegation, raised after papers and reports were laid, came during the slot for matters of urgent public importance. The reaction was immediate: members from both sides of the aisle rose in protest, making it impossible for the Chair to proceed.
What the Chair and Government Said
Chairman Radhakrishnan repeatedly urged members to allow him to speak, but the din persisted. He then called Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to respond. Rijiju stated that every member in the House is equal and that 'we all are Indians.' He added that if anything objectionable regarding the character of the country was said, the concerned member should be called to the Chairman's chamber for resolution.
The Chairman subsequently read out his observation on record, noting the issue raised by Brittas and advising members to exercise care so as not to hurt the sentiments of fellow members. 'Our culture is unique. There should be no disrespect to culture, identity or religion. I will call the member to my chamber and sort it out,' he said.
Leader of the House Weighs In
Despite the Chair's appeal, shouting continued. Rijiju was called again, and he said Brittas's version was on record and that the female member — subsequently identified as Sushmita Dev — should also be allowed to place her version before the House. Leader of the House J.P. Nadda then intervened, clarifying that the garment in question is called a dhoti and not a lungi, and reiterating that Dev's account should also be recorded. With no let-up in noise from either side, the Chairman adjourned the House till 2 pm.
Heavy Legislative Business Before the Disruption
Before the adjournment, the upper House had transacted a substantial legislative agenda after assembling at 11 am. Ministers laid papers relating to the Ministries of Education, Finance, Social Justice and Empowerment, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Home Affairs, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Road Transport and Highways.
Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary tabled a large number of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports covering the Green India Mission, Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Scheme, FAME electric vehicle scheme, Defence Public Sector Undertakings, BharatNet, GST, Customs, Railway finances, Border Roads Organisation bridges, Project Seabird, and several other performance and compliance audits.
The Secretary-General laid the report of the Inquiry Committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, concerning Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, along with oral and documentary evidence recorded during the inquiry. Member Sanjay Kumar Jha also presented the 393rd Report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on preserving India's cultural heritage in the age of artificial intelligence.
What Happens Next
The Chairman has indicated he will summon the member who allegedly made the remark to his chamber to resolve the matter. Whether a formal record of the female member's version will be placed before the House remains to be seen. The episode adds to a pattern of Parliament sessions being disrupted over remarks perceived as targeting regional or cultural identity — a recurring flashpoint in both Houses in recent years.
Point of View
With every party finding an incentive to perform outrage rather than resolve it quietly. Notably, the disruption consumed time that could have been used to debate the substantive CAG reports tabled earlier — including audits on BharatNet, the FAME scheme, and Defence PSUs. Parliament's accountability function is the real casualty when identity rows crowd out legislative scrutiny.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Rajya Sabha adjourned on 12 August 2025?
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on 12 August after an uproar triggered by CPI(M) member John Brittas's allegation that a female member had called him 'Lungiwala', a term he said was disrespectful to his culture. The disruption drew protests from both treasury and Opposition benches, making it impossible to continue proceedings.
Who is John Brittas and what did he allege?
John Brittas is a Rajya Sabha member from the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He alleged that a female member of the House addressed him as 'Lungiwala', which he characterised as a culturally disrespectful remark targeting his identity.
What did the Rajya Sabha Chairman say about the incident?
Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan read out an observation on record, advising members to be careful not to hurt the sentiments of fellow members. He stated that culture, identity, and religion must be respected, and said he would call the concerned member to his chamber to resolve the matter.
Who is Sushmita Dev and what is her role in this controversy?
Sushmita Dev was identified by Leader of the House J.P. Nadda as the female member whose version of events should also be placed on record. Nadda also clarified that the garment in question is called a dhoti, not a lungi.
What other business did the Rajya Sabha transact before the adjournment?
Before the disruption, the House transacted a heavy agenda including tabling of multiple CAG reports by Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary — covering the Green India Mission, FAME EV scheme, BharatNet, GST, and Defence PSUs — as well as the Inquiry Committee report on Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.
