Pickpocket cannot be sent to the gallows: Chowdhury on

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday said a pickpocket cannot be sent to the gallows as he argued that the suspension of seven Congress members from the House was "disproportionate" and should be revoked.

Underlining that Congress members regard the Chair as "the Pope of the Vatican", Chowdhury said they had never dishonoured the chair.

Questioning on what basis the seven Congress members were suspended, Chowdhury said, "Jeb katua ko phansi ke takhte pe nahi chadaya ja sakta hai (a pickpocket cannot be sent to the gallows)" and demanded that the suspension be revoked.

Chowdhury's remarks drew sharp criticism from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "It is strange to compare the suspended MPs with pickpockets. It is most unfortunate. We don't agree with this."