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SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR : There is no need to give any reply. Neither am I supporting anyone nor am I protecting any criminals. But I would certainly like to make it clear that I consider it my duty to protect the dignity of this Parliament. I am not interested in protecting any person. But I would like to say that we have some national values. So long as charges levelled against my senior colleagues, who have served this nation, are not proved, I consider it unfair on my part to say even a word against their dignity and honour. This is my personal belief. Other people also influenced by Indian culture might have their own beliefs. Our culture says that so long as any person is not held guilty of any crime we should not consider him guilty. I won’t disgrace myself by calling that person a criminal. Hence, I would say that instead of holding the discussion in the House now, the discussion should have been held after the filing of charge-sheet. Then if those named in the charge-sheet would have taken any steps against the Constitution, propriety or conventions, the discussion would have been more fruitful. It would have been more in keeping with the Parliamentary traditions.

Mr. Speaker, pardon me for saying so but the discussion being held today goes against Parliamentary practices, traditions and conventions. [English]