BJP Women MPs Decry Opposition Conduct in Parliament, Demand Action from Speaker
In a significant development highlighting the escalating tensions within Indian parliamentary proceedings, a group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) women Members of Parliament (MPs) have formally written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The letter, dated 10 February 2026, strongly condemns opposition members for their alleged disruptive actions and urges the Speaker to take the strongest possible measures against those involved.
Allegations of Unprecedented Disruption
The BJP MPs detailed what they termed an "unfortunate and regrettable incident" inside the Lok Sabha Chamber. According to their account, opposition MPs not only entered the Well of the House but also climbed onto tables, tore up papers, and threw them towards the Speaker's chair during discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address. This behavior, they argued, represents a severe breach of parliamentary decorum.
Furthermore, the letter alleges that on 4 February, opposition women MPs "surrounded the Prime Minister's seat" and later aggressively approached the Speaker's chamber. The MPs claimed they could hear loud noises emanating from inside the chamber, indicating a serious escalation of the confrontation.
A Response to Counter-Allegations
This communication from the BJP women MPs comes as a direct response to a prior letter from Congress women MPs to Speaker Om Birla. The Congress MPs had accused the ruling party of pressuring the Speaker to make "false, baseless, and defamatory" claims against them. The BJP's letter seeks to counter this narrative, framing the opposition's actions as the primary source of disorder.
The BJP MPs expressed being "deeply provoked and enraged" by the events but stated they refrained from retaliation on the instructions of senior party leaders. They described the entire episode as one of the "darkest moments in the history of our parliamentary democracy," underscoring the gravity with which they view the situation.
Context of Parliamentary Stalemate
The row unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing stalemate in the Lok Sabha, particularly concerning the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. The Congress MPs highlighted in their correspondence that Gandhi was repeatedly denied the opportunity to speak over four consecutive days during the Motion of Thanks. Conversely, they alleged a BJP MP was permitted to make "vulgar and obscene" remarks about former Prime Ministers without immediate reprimand.
When the opposition MPs met the Speaker to demand action against this BJP member, they claim he initially acknowledged a "grave mistake" but later indicated he was awaiting the government's response. This, they argued, suggested a diminishing independence in the Speaker's role regarding disciplinary matters.
Speaker's Actions and Broader Implications
In a related move, Speaker Om Birla revealed on Thursday that he had advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to attend the House to prevent any potential unpleasant incidents. This advice was based on information that some Congress MPs might approach the PM's seat and "resort to an unprecedented incident."
The BJP women MPs praised Speaker Birla's nearly seven-year tenure, noting his consistent efforts to enhance the prestige and effectiveness of the Lok Sabha. They commended his demonstrated impartiality and provision of equal opportunities to all members, regardless of party affiliation.
However, the opposition maintains that their protests were peaceful and in line with parliamentary norms, and that they have faced unprecedented targeting. The exchange of letters and allegations points to a deepening rift, with both sides accusing the other of undermining democratic processes and institutions. The outcome of this confrontation remains closely watched as a test of parliamentary discipline and political decorum in India.
