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Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee Thursday demanded "the strictest of punishments", including initiation of criminal proceedings, against parliamentarians who created unprecedented disturbances during the introduction of the Telangana bill.
"I think the strictest of punishments should be given, whichever party a member may be from. Expulsion is minimal action against them," Chatterjee said reacting to violent scenes in the Lok Sabha when a member from Andhra Pradesh used pepper spray.
The veteran leader, winner of the outstanding parliamentarian award in 1996, said criminal proceedings should be started against the Lok Sabha members who indulged in violence.
"There should be FIRs against these persons. I am ashamed as an Indian. What has happened is very unfortunate," said Chatterjee.
