**Trinamool Congress MP Addresses Smoking Controversy Outside Parliament**
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy has responded to the uproar surrounding a viral video that depicted him smoking outside Parliament, labeling the controversy as ‘manufactured’ and based on a false premise. Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Roy clarified that while smoking is prohibited inside the House, it is allowed in open areas.
“There is no allegation against me. Smoking cigarettes inside the House is prohibited, but there is no objection to smoking in the open space outside,” Roy stated. He further criticized the current government, pointing out that pollution levels in Delhi have reached alarming heights during the BJP’s tenure, suggesting that they should focus on addressing this issue rather than making allegations against him.
The video, which gained significant traction on social media, showed Roy smoking on the Parliament premises. Union ministers Giriraj Singh and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who were present nearby, expressed concerns regarding public health and the dignity of the House. “You are endangering public health, dada,” Shekhawat remarked.
The situation intensified as the Winter Session of Parliament continued, with sharp exchanges between members. Just a day prior, BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused a Trinamool member of smoking an e-cigarette inside the Lok Sabha, urging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take note of this alleged violation of the nationwide vaping ban. Thakur claimed that a Trinamool MP had been smoking e-cigarettes for days and questioned whether such conduct was permissible in the House.
In response, Speaker Om Birla stated that no rules or precedents allow smoking of any kind inside the House and assured that appropriate action would be taken if concrete evidence was presented. “If such an incident is brought to my notice with clarity, appropriate action will follow,” Birla confirmed.
India has prohibited electronic cigarettes under the Electronic Cigarettes (Prohibition) Act, 2019, making their manufacture, sale, import, export, and advertising illegal, with penalties including jail terms and fines for violations.
**FAQ**
**Q: Is smoking allowed in Parliament?**
A: Smoking is prohibited inside the Parliament House but is allowed in open areas outside.
