Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has made a shocking revelation. He stated that he personally advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to attend the House to reply to the Motion of Thanks. The reason? A serious warning about a potential “unprecedented incident” involving Opposition MPs near the Prime Minister’s seat.
This development has created a massive political storm in India. For the first time in decades, the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address was passed in the Lok Sabha without the customary reply from the Prime Minister.
Here is a complete breakdown of what happened, why the Speaker took this step, and how the Opposition is reacting.
Why Did Speaker Om Birla Stop the PM?
On Thursday, Speaker Om Birla addressed the Lok Sabha with a serious statement. He explained that he had received “definite information” regarding a planned disruption by Opposition members, specifically from the Congress party.
According to Mr. Birla, the intelligence suggested that some MPs might approach Prime Minister Modi’s seat in a way that could lead to an “inappropriate” or dangerous situation. He feared that if the Prime Minister had entered the House, the dignity of the Parliament and the country’s democratic traditions could have been “torn apart.”
“I received credible information that some members of the Congress party could have approached the Prime Minister’s seat and caused an unforeseen incident. To prevent this, I urged the Prime Minister not to come to Parliament,” Speaker Om Birla stated.
He further added that by accepting his advice, PM Modi helped prevent a “black spot” in India’s parliamentary history.
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What Was the “Security Threat”?
The Speaker did not give specific details on the nature of the threat but mentioned the behavior of MPs on the previous day (Wednesday). He pointed out that Opposition members, including women MPs, had crowded the Well of the House and moved dangerously close to the Prime Minister’s designated seat.
The Speaker described the scenes as “unprecedented” and expressed deep anguish over the decline in parliamentary decorum. He felt that the aggression shown by the MPs signaled a plan to physically confront or surround the PM, which posed a security and dignity risk.
The Historic Consequence: Motion Passed Without PM’s Reply
Usually, after the debate on the President’s address, the Prime Minister gives a detailed reply to the House, answering questions raised by the Opposition. This is a key tradition in Indian democracy.
However, due to this advice, PM Modi did not speak in the Lok Sabha. instead, the Motion of Thanks was passed by a voice vote without his reply. This is extremely rare and has not happened in recent history. The Prime Minister later replied to the debate in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) instead.
How Did the Opposition React?
The Congress party and other Opposition leaders have strongly rejected the Speaker’s claims. They have accused the government of making up “fake stories” to avoid facing the Opposition.
- “Hiding Behind the Speaker”: Congress leaders claimed that PM Modi used the Speaker as a shield to escape tough questions about the Adani issue and other allegations.
- “Insult to Women MPs”: Opposition leaders demanded an apology, stating that the Speaker’s comments about women MPs planning an “attack” were insulting and baseless.
- “Murder of Democracy”: Many leaders called the passing of the motion without the PM’s reply a failure of democratic process.
Background: What Triggered the Chaos?
The tension in Parliament had been building up for days. Two main issues caused the initial uproar:
- Nishikant Dubey’s Remarks: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey made allegations against former Congress Prime Ministers, which angered the Congress MPs.
- Rahul Gandhi Blocked: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to quote from an unpublished book by a former Army Chief regarding the China border issue. The Speaker ruled that unpublished material cannot be cited without authentication.
These disagreements led to shouting, slogan-shouting, and MPs rushing into the Well of the House, eventually leading to the Speaker’s drastic decision.
What Happens Next?
The Budget Session of Parliament is currently ongoing, but the trust between the Government and the Opposition is at an all-time low.
- The Speaker has warned that if MPs continue to bring posters or create ruckus, he will not run the House.
- The BJP is using this incident to highlight the “unruly behavior” of the Opposition ahead of upcoming state elections.
- The Opposition is likely to continue protests, demanding the PM speak in the Lok Sabha.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Has a PM ever skipped the Motion of Thanks reply before?
It is extremely rare. In recent decades, the Prime Minister always replies to this debate. Skipping it breaks a long-standing parliamentary convention.
2. What is the Motion of Thanks?
It is a formal motion to thank the President of India for their address to the joint sitting of Parliament. It marks the start of the Budget Session.
3. Why did Om Birla specifically mention women MPs?
The Speaker noted that during the protests, women MPs from the Opposition were seen standing very close to the Prime Minister’s seat, which he identified as part of the “unprecedented” behavior.
4. Did the PM speak in Parliament at all?
Yes. While he skipped the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Modi did give his reply to the Motion of Thanks in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) later on the same day.
5. Can the Speaker stop the PM from entering the House?
The Speaker is the custodian of the Lok Sabha and is responsible for the safety and order of the House. While he cannot “order” the PM, he can “advise” him on safety matters, which the PM accepted in this case.