Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Saturday that consensus and dissent are the strengths of democracy, but planned disruption in Assemblies and Parliament are not appropriate for democratic values. Birla reiterated that Legislative institutions must become centers of discussion and dialogue to ensure accountability to the public. He was addressing public representatives and other dignitaries at the launch of the ‘Constitution Club of Rajasthan’.
The event was also attended by Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajanlal Sharma, Speaker of Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Vasudev Devnani, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Bhagirath Choudhary, MPs, MLAs and other dignitaries. Lok Sabha Speaker remarked that the Constitution Club is not just a building, but a platform to guide democratic discourse, thoughtfulness, and policy-making. He added democracy is not confined to elections but advances through continuous dialogue and consensus.
Birla hoped that the club will elevate policy-making and good governance to new heights. He mentioned that the concept of the Constitution Club in Delhi was conceived in 1947 during the drafting of the Constitution where the need for a platform for informal discussions and policy dialogues was felt. Birla noted that the Constitution club in Rajasthan will also become a key center for democratic dialogue and debate, providing legislators with an opportunity to openly discuss ideas, policies and governance.
Observing that the Constitution of India is not just a compilation of laws, but a guide for the entire world, Birla said that over the past 75 years, many transformative changes have occurred under its guidance.
Saying that meaningful dialogue and healthy debates must take place in Parliament and Assemblies, Birla underlined that personal allegations and deliberate disruptions are against the core spirit of democracy.