India: The uproar over an alleged e-cigarette use by a Trinamool Congress MP inside the Lok Sabha chamber continues to dominate headlines and social media discussions into the evening. What began as a dramatic accusation by BJP MP Anurag Thakur during Question Hour has snowballed into a full-blown political storm, with no formal identification of the MP and calls for immediate investigation growing louder.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reiterated his commitment to probe the matter upon receiving a written complaint, but the lack of one so far has fueled speculation and memes across platforms. As the Winter Session presses on amid other flashpoints like the “vote chori” debate and ethanol blending discussions, this incident underscores deepening rifts between the ruling BJP and opposition benches.
Key developments since the morning incident include no written complaint filed yet, despite Thakur’s on-the-spot demand for checks on MPs. Birla, addressing the House again post-lunch, emphasized that such behavior is against the dignity of Parliament and that if proven, strict action will be taken, but evidence in writing is needed. BJP insiders hint that a complaint could be filed by end of day, potentially naming the MP and triggering an Ethics Committee review.
BJP amplifies the charge as Thakur doubled down in a post-session media briefing, stating that this isn’t just a rule violation but a mockery of the 2019 ban we all voted for, and how can MPs flout laws they make. Fellow BJP MPs, including Himachal’s Kangana Ranaut and Bihar’s Giriraj Singh, echoed the sentiment on X, with Ranaut posting that vaping in the House is next they’ll bring hookahs, and time for zero tolerance. The party has leveraged the row to portray the opposition as undisciplined, tying it to broader session disruptions.
Opposition backlash sees allies like the RJD and Congress pivoting to criticizing the BJP for petty theatrics amid serious issues like unemployment data suppression. RJD MP Manoj Jha quipped during a presser that if e-cigarettes are the biggest threat today, perhaps we should debate gum-chewing next. No cross-party consensus on an immediate probe has emerged.
Broader implications and health legal reminders revisit the dangers of e-cigarettes as devices that aerosolize nicotine-laced liquids, risking lung injuries like EVALI and youth addiction. Under the 2019 Act, possession alone carries a one lakh rupee fine; using one in Parliament could invite contempt charges alongside. This isn’t isolated as raids in Delhi and Mumbai last month seized 5,000 illegal vapes, per government data.
