Speaker Om Birla advised PM Modi to skip Lok Sabha amid disruption fears
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated he advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avoid attending the Lok Sabha session due to credible information about potential disruptions by opposition MPs. This led to the cancellation of the PM's scheduled address, a move that has sparked controversy and prompted the opposition to consider a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. The Speaker described the MPs' conduct as a "black spot" on parliamentary traditions.
Key Highlights
- Speaker Om Birla advised PM Modi to stay away from Lok Sabha.
- Fears of "unexpected acts" by MPs prompted the Speaker's advice.
- PM Modi's scheduled address was cancelled due to the situation.
- Opposition plans no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla.
- Congress MPs deny allegations of planned disruption or attack.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla revealed that he had advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to attend the Lok Sabha session due to credible information about potential disruptions by opposition Members of Parliament (MPs). This extraordinary statement came amidst significant chaos and repeated adjournments in the Lok Sabha. The Speaker's decision led to the cancellation of Prime Minister Modi's scheduled reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, a highly unusual development.
Birla explained that he received information indicating that some Congress MPs might create an "unexpected incident" or cause "unforeseen disruption" near the Prime Minister's seat. He described the conduct of some MPs in the House and the Speaker's office as a "black spot" on parliamentary traditions and stated that such incidents could have severely damaged the dignity of the nation. He thanked the Prime Minister for heeding his advice to stay away, suggesting it prevented potentially unpleasant scenes.
In response to these allegations, a group of women MPs from the Congress party wrote a strongly worded letter to Speaker Om Birla, rejecting the claims as "false, baseless, and defamatory". They accused the Speaker of being pressured by the ruling party to make these allegations and suggested that the Prime Minister's absence was an "act of fear" due to his inability to face the opposition. The Congress MPs highlighted that their protests were peaceful and within democratic norms, and they were being targeted for demanding accountability from the government. They also pointed out that while eight opposition MPs were suspended, a BJP MP was allowed to make allegedly "vulgar and obscene" remarks without consequence.
The opposition parties, including the Congress, have collectively decided to move a motion of no confidence against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The reasons cited for this move include the Speaker's alleged denial of space to opposition voices, the denial of an opportunity for the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, to speak during the debate, the suspension of eight opposition MPs, and the Speaker's public statements about an alleged threat to the Prime Minister. The opposition also takes issue with the Speaker allowing a BJP MP to read from books with anti-Congress and anti-Gandhi family content. While the no-confidence motion is largely symbolic due to the opposition's numbers, it signifies their deep dissatisfaction with the Speaker's conduct and the functioning of the House.
This entire episode unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing disruptions in the Lok Sabha, largely stemming from the opposition's demand for a discussion on the India-China border standoff in 2020, following the publication of extracts from an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief M.M. Naravane. The Speaker had disallowed Rahul Gandhi from quoting from the unpublished book, leading to the opposition boycotting proceedings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has historically faced criticism regarding his attendance in Parliament. While Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the Prime Minister has high attendance unless traveling abroad or on official state visits, and attends question hour for his ministry, opposition figures have claimed he spends more time in rallies than in parliamentary sessions. This current situation has further fueled the debate about parliamentary engagement and accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla advise PM Modi not to attend the Lok Sabha?
Speaker Om Birla advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stay away from the Lok Sabha session because he had received credible information suggesting that some Congress MPs might engage in disruptive behavior or create an "unexpected incident" near the Prime Minister's seat, potentially harming parliamentary decorum and dignity.
What was the outcome of the Speaker's advice?
As a result of the Speaker's advice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend the Lok Sabha session, and his scheduled address, the reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, was cancelled. This marked an unusual occurrence in parliamentary proceedings.
What is the opposition's response to the Speaker's claims?
The opposition, particularly Congress MPs, has strongly rejected Speaker Om Birla's allegations. They have called the claims "false and defamatory" and suggested that the Prime Minister's absence was due to fear rather than any threat from the opposition. They also accused the Speaker of being influenced by the ruling party and of not allowing adequate space for opposition voices in Parliament.
Will the opposition move a no-confidence motion against the Speaker?
Yes, opposition parties have announced their intention to move a motion of no confidence against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This move is a result of their dissatisfaction with his conduct, including the handling of parliamentary disruptions, the suspension of MPs, and the allegations made against opposition members.
What led to the overall chaos in the Lok Sabha?
The Lok Sabha had been experiencing significant disruptions, largely stemming from the opposition's demand for a debate on the India-China border standoff in 2020. This was further inflamed when Rahul Gandhi was not permitted by the Speaker to quote from an unpublished memoir related to the issue, leading to boycotts and protests by the opposition.
