Ban is against fundamental right, says Sena MP

NEW DELHI : The row over Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad assaulting an Air India employee raged in both the Houses of Parliament, prompting Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to suggest an amicable resolution to the issue.

Raising the issue in Lok Sabha, Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul came down heavily on the airlines. “The move goes against a person's fundamental right to move and is against the Constitution,” he said.

The matter also came up in the Rajya Sabha. “Can airlines ban any MP from travelling for discharge his official duty?” asked Naresh Agrawal of S P. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, he asked whether the airlines could take such an action even before the MP was found guilty.

Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said, “We cannot compromise on the safety of passengers. We cannot treat people differently.” Addressing the media, the Speaker said, “How the ban can be lifted needs to be resolved amicably.” She said no privilege motion has been moved yet.