TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, who some years ago was in the business of asking questions and demanding answers from school kids, yesterday made childish accusations against some Twitter users, including against OpIndia co-founder Rahul Raj, accusing them of issuing criminal threats to other people while being followed by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
Lowering down the dignity of the house, Derek quoted a propaganda material written by an abusive troll that ironically terms some Twitter users as trolls. This is akin to an MP quoting a pamphlet printed by ISIS to claim that Barack Obama was a terrorist. What next? An MP quoting a WhatsApp forward to make a point?
Unfortunately, while the politicians defend their own ilk and insist on quoting cogent materials in the house when one of their own is targeted, Derek was able to get away after quoting unreliable propaganda material to target private citizens. However, outside the house, on Twitter, he was nailed for his lies.
Among the first one to confront him was Rahul Raj himself, who exposed the lies of Derek:
Dear @quizderek,
1. I was never suspended by twitter
2. I have never met @narendramodiI feel bad for your quizzing abilities now pic.twitter.com/iZJytY1M7p
— Rahul Raj (@bhak_sala) February 2, 2017
It was a clear case of intimidation of voices that don’t agree with the politics of likes of Derek. People could see the agenda of this “ecosystem” that is powerful as ever.
1 what’s happening wid @bhak_sala is a systematic slander campaign to discredit & silence young & bold voices
— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) February 2, 2017
By attacking Twitter accounts opposed to his politics, @quizderek has announced that common man has no right to express political opinions
— The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) February 3, 2017
How @quizderek quoted @bainjal‘s garbage to defame @bhak_sala is exactly how #breakingindia academics quote each other to peddle their lies.
— Ashish (@Infinitchy) February 2, 2017
Wow, the whole ecosystem(politicians+ journos+academicians+bollywood) in full force attacking @bhak_sala and @OpIndia_com
— Ravi Kiran (@ravithinkz) February 3, 2017
With @bhak_sala & @OpIndia_com exposing Media’s non-stop lies on Modi, loony journos in their pathetic Whatsapp groups are spreading slander
— Ajayendar Al-Sanghi (@ajayendar) February 2, 2017
What made matters worse, was that the issue was raised in the parliament where those accused were not present to defend themselves. The constitution virtually allows the MPs the freedom to malign ordinary citizens as they can not be dragged to courts for their deeds and statements issued on the floor of the house.
Indian politico @quizderek protected by parliamentary privilege maligns private citizen @bhak_sala .Chilling https://t.co/06iqiFyI7L (23.00)
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) February 2, 2017
Shocked at this behaviour of an unelected member of the parliament, people demanded that he should tender an apology for his defamatory remarks.
#DerekOBrien Stop abusing ur parliamentary privilege!
Support @bhak_sala @MahaveerM_ #WeStandWithRahul
?Sign & RT https://t.co/ca5aX2xDuT ?— Anuraag Saxena (@anuraag_saxena) February 2, 2017
Over 1400 people had already signed the petition demanding an apology from Derek O’Brien at the time this report was published.
And as it happens on Twitter, other users took to sarcasm and humour to drill some sense in thick head of the TMC MP, who had earlier thought that PM Modi was planning an army coup in West Bengal, and others supporting his lies:
From going after Modi with fabricated stories to going after people followed by Modi on twitter, our opposition parties have come a long way
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) February 2, 2017
[Next Parliament session]
Derek O’brien: “Madam Speaker, let me tell you which all Twitter handles with hot girl DPs are actually boys”— Gabru Tippler (@MrTippler) February 2, 2017
Does Derek O’Brien know that once Twitter had even suspended Jack?
He is citing Twitter suspension as some murder conviction.— Sandeep Kadian (@GappistanRadio) February 2, 2017
“Modi ji is more interested in Porn than Parliament because he follows someone who follows Sunny Leone on twitter” – @quizderek
— Ra_Bies (@Ra_Bies) February 2, 2017
.@tweetfromRaghu If mere following someone means endorsing someone, so should we understand that Kejriwal endorses these abuses of yours? pic.twitter.com/SEbVg0g7li
— Smoking Skills HMP (@SmokingSkills_) February 3, 2017
.@quizderek Sir apne naam se brien hata lo.. kyonki padhne me brain jaisa lagta hai.. ??
— Maithun – HMP (@Being_Humor) February 2, 2017
Here is @quizderek who is hanging out with Twitter Troll.. pic.twitter.com/tYgC1U14kj
— LolmLol (@LOLiyapa) February 2, 2017
