The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has banned the consumption of gutkha inside its premises after an MLA was caught spitting pan masala on the carpet, sparking outrage. The ban takes effect immediately, and violators will have to pay a fine of ₹1,000.

Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana announced the decision a day after informing the Assembly that he had the carpet cleaned following the incident. He pointed out the need to maintain cleanliness and decorum within the Assembly.

Speaker Satish Mahana addressed the Assembly during the ongoing Budget Session, stating, "I saw the MLA in a video, but I do not want to humiliate anyone, so I am not naming them. I urge all members to stop such behaviour if they witness it. Keeping the Assembly clean is our responsibility."

He further added, "If the MLA in question admits to it, that would be good. Otherwise, I will summon the individual."
Speaking to news agency ANI, Speaker Satish Mahana emphasized the importance of maintaining the Assembly’s dignity, stating that its image represents not just 403 MLAs but also the 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh.

"A good image has a positive impact on everyone, while a negative one, including untidiness, affects perception," he said. He also directed all legislators to keep a check on each other to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

A video of Speaker Satish Mahana overseeing the cleaning of the spit stain has gone viral. In the video, he says he noticed the stain while entering the hall for the session."Why should everyone's dignity suffer because of one person's actions? Find out who did this. The cost of cleaning or replacing the carpet should be taken from them," he said.

The Speaker also reminded everyone that the Assembly belongs to the people of Uttar Pradesh, not just one person.

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