Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla defends House rulings after removal motion debate

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said the House functions strictly under its rules and regulations and will continue to do so, irrespective of whether it is acceptable to any member, and asserted that he would conduct the proceedings with sincerity and fairness.


A day after a motion seeking his removal as Speaker was defeated in the House, Birla also said that the Chair does not belong to any one individual but is a symbol of the prestige of the House.

Also Read: Only words Birla ji has for us, 'No, No, No': Opposition MPs

Birla said he was grateful to the members of the House for the faith reposed in him during debate and thanked all those who spoke in favour of him as well as against him.

"The House has been running with rules and regulations and will continue to function in future, irrespective of whether it is acceptable to any member or not. I will continue to discharge my duty with all sincerity and impartiality," he said amidst the thumping of desks by the treasury bench members.

Thursday was the first time Birla came to the House to conduct the proceedings since the notice of no confidence was given during the first part of the Budget session, which came to an end on February 13. The second part of the session began on March 9.

The Speaker said during the debate in the last two days, some members said that the Leader of the Opposition is not given enough opportunities to speak, and he should be allowed to speak whenever he wishes and on any subject.

Also Read: Oppn motion against Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla defeated by voice vote

"Everyone has the right to speak in the House, but by following rules and regulations. No member, not even the prime minister or any minister, can speak without the permission of the Chair. No member of the House has the privilege to speak at any time and on any subject. He can speak only when the Chair allows," he said.

Birla said the MPs have the freedom of speech in the House, but they have to follow rules and regulations.

He also addressed allegations that the microphones of some members are switched off when they want to speak.

"I don't have a switch to turn the mic on or off. The mic is put on when a member is given permission to speak by the chair," he said.

Soon after his speech, Birla adjourned the House till 2 pm.



What was the Om Birla removal row?

Over 100 Opposition Members of Parliament submitted a notice seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging “partisan conduct” in the functioning of the House.



The MPs cited instances where the Leader of Opposition was allegedly denied permission to speak and accused the Chair of favouring the treasury benches during proceedings.

The notice triggered a debate in the Lok Sabha on the motion seeking Birla’s removal, bringing attention to the constitutional provisions and procedural rules governing the removal of a Speaker under Article 94 of the Constitution.