Anurag Thakur accuses TMC MP of vaping in Lok Sabha
What's the story
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anurag Thakur on Thursday accused an unnamed Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP of smoking an e-cigarette inside the Lok Sabha. The allegation was made during Question Hour, with Thakur asking if such devices were allowed in the House. Speaker Om Birla responded that they are not permitted, after which Thakur claimed a TMC member had been "constantly smoking e-cigarettes in the House for several days."
Remarks
No rule that allows any MP to smoke inside
"Desh bhar mein e-cigarette ban ho chuki hai, kya aapne allow kar di hai (E-cigarettes have been banned in the country, have you allowed this?" Thakur asked. "Sir TMC ke sandad kayeen dino se lagataar baith ke pee rahe hain (TMC MP is smoking continuously for days)." Birla responded that there is no rule that allows any MP to smoke inside the House. "If such an incident is brought to my notice with clarity, appropriate action will follow," Birla said.
Twitter Post
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Delhi: BJP MP Anurag Thakur says, "I want to raise a question regarding the system. E-cigarettes are banned across the entire country have they been allowed inside Parliament? Some TMC MPs have been sitting and using e-cigarettes for several days. This is a matter concerning the… pic.twitter.com/fQx2JTuz6L
— IANS (@ians_india) December 11, 2025
Action demanded
BJP MPs demand action against TMC member
Thakur's allegation led to a ruckus in the Lok Sabha, with several BJP members demanding action against the unnamed TMC MP. Speaker Birla appealed to maintain the dignity of Parliament amid the uproar. He said any intervention from his office would require a formal written complaint before appropriate steps could be taken.
Ban enforced
E-cigarettes banned in India, Parliament
E-cigarettes have been banned across India for several years now, making their use a legal and procedural violation. The ban on smoking in public places, including the Parliament building and its grounds, is also strictly enforced. The Parliament Rule Book clearly states that smoking is "strictly forbidden." In 2023, the Union government had directed states to ensure effective compliance of the e-cigarette ban, especially in areas near educational institutions.