As the winter session of Parliament concludes on December 19, 2025, several complaints against Members of Parliament (MPs) await action from Speaker Om Birla, the most prominent being an allegation of e-cigarette use within the Lok Sabha. The incident has sparked considerable debate regarding parliamentary decorum and adherence to the laws of the land.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anurag Thakur brought the issue to the forefront, accusing an unnamed MP from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of smoking an e-cigarette during parliamentary proceedings. Thakur raised the matter during Question Hour, questioning whether e-cigarettes were permitted in the House, considering their nationwide ban. Speaker Birla responded in the negative, emphasizing that no such permission had been granted.

Thakur followed up with a formal written complaint to Speaker Birla on Friday, urging immediate action against the TMC MP. In his complaint, Thakur stated that the TMC member was "seen openly using an electronic cigarette while seated in the House," an act visible to several members. He argued that this behavior constituted a blatant violation of parliamentary decorum and discipline and a cognizable offense under Indian law. Thakur emphasized that such conduct lowers the dignity of the House, sets a poor precedent, and sends the wrong message to the youth, especially considering the government's firm stance against tobacco and nicotine products.

The complaint further requested Speaker Birla to conduct an inquiry into the incident through an appropriate committee or mechanism and initiate disciplinary proceedings against the concerned member, following the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. Speaker Birla assured that action would be taken if a written complaint was lodged.

The BJP has been quick to seize on the issue. The party's national spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, demanded that the TMC take action against the MP, highlighting that e-cigarettes have been banned in India since 2019 and their use is prohibited within Parliament. He questioned whether the TMC would act or wait for the Speaker to do so.

Meanwhile, TMC MP Saugata Roy stated he was unaware of the incident as he was not present in the House and that it is up to the Speaker to investigate and take action if rules were violated. He questioned the need to politicize the issue.

The use of e-cigarettes, battery-powered devices that heat a liquid to create an aerosol inhaled by the user, is banned in India under the Electronic Cigarettes (Prohibition) Act, 2019. This law prohibits the production, sale, import, export, and advertising of e-cigarettes, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. Smoking is also banned in public places, including the Parliament building and its grounds, with the Parliament Rule Book explicitly forbidding it.

The incident has triggered a wider discussion about conduct within the "sanctum sanctorum" of Indian democracy and whether the alleged actions truly undermine the integrity of the House or if the accusations are politically motivated. As the parliamentary session concludes, the Speaker's decision on this matter remains pending, leaving questions about accountability and the standards of behavior expected from the nation's lawmakers.