On Tuesday, Maharashtra assembly dipped to a new low when a group of its members led by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi MLA Kshitij Thakur caught hold of assistant inspector of police Suryavanshi on the first floor of the Assembly building and rained blows on him. Suryavanshi had reportedly fined a vehicle carrying Thakur, allegedly for overspeeding on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link on Monday when the Vasai MLA was on his way to attend the Assembly session. Thakur had alleged that Suryavanshi misbehaved with him and had moved a privilege motion against him.

The cop had to be hospitalised. Later, assembly speaker Dilip Walse-Patil ruled that he would take a decision after he collected all appropriate information pertaining to the incident. He said there could not be any justification for the incident and apologised to the police and people.

If privileges are to be used to call officials in the House and rough them up, are these privileges well deserved?