After no-trust defeat, Birla reasserts Speaker’s role

Om Birla on Thursday resumed his duties as Speaker of the Lok Sabha and asserted that his actions as presiding officer were impartial, a day after an Opposition-backed no-confidence motion against him was defeated in Parliament.

Addressing the House, Birla said members may personally agree or disagree with decisions taken by the Chair, but it remained his duty to enforce the rules, procedures and traditions governing the functioning of the Lok Sabha.

He emphasised that the House operates strictly according to established rules and that no member has the privilege to speak whenever he or she wishes. If any member behaves contrary to the decorum of the House, he said, the Chair would be compelled to take strict action to preserve its dignity.

He added that whether it is the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), or any other member, all can speak only by following procedures laid down in the rules of the House.

“Waving placards, shouting slogans, tearing papers or climbing on desks are contrary to our great parliamentary traditions. Such behaviour not only disrupts proceedings but also diminishes the prestige of the House,” he said. Referring to objections raised by some members, Birla addressed criticism that the LoP Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to table a magazine article based on the unpublished memoir of former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane on the 2020 India-China conflict.

The Speaker said past rulings by previous presiding officers had also prevented members from tabling documents that did not meet the rules of the House. Some members, he noted, believe that the LoP can rise at any time and speak on any subject of their choosing, considering it a special privilege.

He also cited earlier instances when the Chair did not permit members to lay photographs, Government documents or quote letters in the House.

Birla said he had always maintained cordial personal relations with members across party lines and never wished for disciplinary action to be taken against any member.