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Parliament – Tensions escalated in the Lok Sabha this week after women Members of Parliament from the Congress party formally accused Speaker Om Birla of making serious and unfounded allegations against them while defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence during a key parliamentary debate.

Letter to Speaker Raises Concerns Over Neutrality

In a detailed letter addressed to Speaker Om Birla, Congress women MPs said they were distressed by remarks made in the House suggesting that some of them could have attempted an “unexpected act” near the Prime Minister’s seat. The Speaker had earlier stated that he had received specific information indicating the possibility of disruption, and therefore advised the Prime Minister not to attend the session to respond to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.

The Congress MPs rejected these assertions, calling them baseless and damaging. They urged the Speaker to uphold the dignity of his constitutional office and function without political influence.

Allegations of Pressure from the Ruling Party

The letter, signed by leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jyothimani, R Sudha, Varsha Gaikwad and Jyotsna Mahant, argued that the Speaker appeared to be acting under pressure from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. According to them, the Prime Minister’s absence was not prompted by security concerns but by an unwillingness to engage with the Opposition during the debate.

They stated that as elected representatives of the Indian National Congress, they adhere to constitutional values and democratic principles. The MPs emphasized that they do not endorse intimidation or violence and described the allegations as defamatory.

Debate Over Parliamentary Conventions

The controversy arose during discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, a key parliamentary event where both government and Opposition members traditionally participate before the Prime Minister delivers a reply.

Congress MPs pointed out that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak during the debate over several consecutive days. They termed this deviation from convention unprecedented and raised questions about fairness in House proceedings.

At the same time, members of the INDIA bloc were suspended during the ongoing session, a move the Congress leaders described as disproportionate. They also objected to remarks made by a BJP member during the debate, alleging that inappropriate language was used against former prime ministers.

Meeting with the Speaker and Escalating Tensions

According to the letter, Congress MPs met the Speaker seeking action regarding the remarks made by the BJP member. They claimed that while the Speaker initially acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, he later indicated that he was awaiting the government’s position before taking further steps. The MPs suggested that this response raised concerns about the independence of the Chair.

Later that day, the Prime Minister was scheduled to address the House. Opposition members from the INDIA alliance staged a protest, and the Prime Minister did not appear. The following day, Speaker Birla reiterated in the House that he had received credible inputs about possible disorder targeting the Prime Minister’s seat. He said such an incident could have severely undermined democratic traditions.

Motion of Thanks Passed Without Prime Minister’s Reply

In an unusual development, the Lok Sabha passed the Motion of Thanks without the customary reply from the Prime Minister, as repeated disruptions led to adjournments. The Speaker described the situation as deeply concerning, noting that any breach of parliamentary decorum would have harmed democratic norms.

Outside Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra dismissed the Speaker’s claim as entirely untrue, asserting that there had been no intention to create a security threat. She further alleged that the Prime Minister avoided facing the Opposition during the debate.

In their letter, the Congress women MPs expressed both anguish and respect for the Speaker’s office. They appealed to him to safeguard the credibility of Parliament and act as an impartial guardian of the House. They stressed that transparency and fairness are essential to maintaining public trust in democratic institutions.

The episode has added to the ongoing friction between the government and the Opposition, highlighting broader concerns about parliamentary procedure, accountability and the functioning of democratic institutions.