'Don't know what happened': BJP MLA on porn video controversy
What's the story
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Tripura, Jadab Lal Debnath, who was caught watching an alleged pornographic video in the state Assembly, has claimed that the obscene clip appeared on his phone after receiving a call. On Thursday, a video of the legislator went viral on social media, showing him scrolling through obscene videos and intently watching a clip during an Assembly session.
Statement
I was not watching porn: Debnath
Speaking to ANI hours after the controversy, Debnath said, "I don't know how this happened. I was not watching porn videos. I suddenly received a call and the video started playing when I opened it to check." He added that BJP State President Rajib Bhattacharya told him to "wait" as the party issued a notice against him demanding clarification on the matter.
Twitter Post
Warning: Debnath caught on camera watching porn
55 Bagbassa of Tripura Legislative Assembly present BJP MLA Jadab Lal Debnath caught watching porn inside the Assembly session while the session is going on.Shame shame that’s why the Rape & Harassment has increased day by day in our state @ajjtaknews2 @ZeeNews @ndtvindia @ndtv pic.twitter.com/NA21sD3yyM
— Suraj Debbarma TIPRA (@SurajTipra) March 30, 2023
Criticism
Speaker should take stern action: Opposition
Following Debnath's viral video, several opposition leaders demanded action against him. Congress State President Birajit Sinha said, "The use of mobile phones is completely prohibited in the assembly, how could he watch pornography?" Leader of the Opposition Animesh Debbarma added, "The speaker should take stern action against such an act." Meanwhile, Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen said he didn't receive any complaint regarding the issue.
More information
This is not the first porn controversy for BJP
Debnath was elected to the Tripura Legislative Assembly in the recently concluded elections from the Bagbassa seat. He is also the Secretary of the Tripura state unit of the BJP. Notably, this is not the first time a BJP legislator has been caught watching obscene videos publicly. In 2012, two Karnataka BJP ministers resigned after they were caught watching porn inside the state Assembly.