Rahul Gandhi Alleges Lok Sabha Speaker Walked Out, Denying Him a Chance to Speak
A heated exchange in the Lok Sabha has led to accusations from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Speaker Om Birla deliberately prevented him from addressing the House. Gandhi alleges that the Speaker made remarks directed at him and then adjourned proceedings, denying him the chance to respond.
According to Gandhi, the situation unfolded when he attempted to speak on matters of public importance, including the recent Maha Kumbh Mela and the pressing issue of unemployment. He claims that his efforts were repeatedly thwarted, culminating in the Speaker’s abrupt departure.
“The Speaker just got up and left. He did not allow me to speak a word,” Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament. “He was speaking about me, and I don’t know what he said about me, all unsubstantiated. I said, ‘let me speak as you have spoken about me,’ but he did not say a word and just left. He adjourned the House when there was no need of it.”
Gandhi further asserted that the Lok Sabha was being run in a “non-democratic style,” stating that the opposition was being systematically silenced. He emphasized the convention that the Leader of Opposition is typically granted the opportunity to speak. “So, in what manner is this House being run? We are not being allowed to speak. I have not done anything, I was sitting quietly, I did not speak anything. In the last 7-8 days, I have not been allowed to speak,” he said.
The Speaker, Om Birla, had earlier made remarks regarding the conduct of members, emphasizing the need to uphold the dignity of the House and adhere to procedural rules. He referenced rule 349 of the house procedings, and reinforced that the leader of the opposition especially should be held to those standards.
“Several instances have come to my notice where the conduct of members does not conform to the high standards,” the Speaker said. “Especially, it is expected of the Leader of the Opposition to conduct himself as per the rules.”
Following the incident, approximately 70 Congress MPs, including key figures such as Gaurav Gogoi and K.C. Venugopal, met with the Speaker to register their protest and express their concern over the alleged denial of Gandhi’s right to speak.
This latest development adds to the ongoing tensions within the Indian Parliament, with the opposition frequently accusing the government of stifling their voices. The incident has ignited further debate about the role and responsibilities of the Speaker, and the rights of the opposition within the legislative process.
