13.3. Breach of Privilege and Contempt of the House

When any of the privileges either of the members individually or of the House in its collective capacity are disregarded or attacked by any individual or authority, the offence is called a

`breach of privilege'.

Among other things, any action ‘casting reflections’ on MPs, parliament or its committees; could be considered breach of privilege. This may include publishing of news items, editorials or statements made in newspaper/magazine/TV interviews or in public speeches.

Contempt of the House may be defined generally as "any act or omission which obstructs or impedes either House of Parliament in the performance of its functions, or which obstructs or impedes any member or officers of such House in the discharge of his duty, or which has a tendency, directly or indirectly, to produce such results.

While all breaches of privilege constitute contempt of the House, a person may be guilty of a contempt of the House even though he does not violate any of the privilege of the House, e.g. when he disobeys an order to attend a committee or publishes reflections on the character or conduct of a member in his capacity as a member.

There have been several such cases. In 1967, two people were held to be in contempt of Rajya

Sabha, for having thrown leaflets from the visitors’ gallery.

In 1983, one person was held in breach for shouting slogans and throwing chappals from the

visitors’ gallery.