Opposition's No-Confidence Motion Against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Defeated Amid Protests
In a dramatic session on Wednesday, a resolution seeking the removal of Om Birla as Speaker of the Lok Sabha was defeated by a voice vote. The proceedings were marked by intense protests and sloganeering by opposition members, who demanded an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Motion Rejected Amid Chaotic Scenes
With Speaker Birla absent during the debate, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who presided over the session, announced that the no-confidence motion had been rejected after the vote. Opposition members continued their protests in the House, prompting Pal to urge them to return to their seats so that the motion could be formally put to vote. As the protests persisted, he proceeded with a voice vote, after which the resolution was declared defeated, and the House was adjourned for the day.
Amit Shah Criticizes Opposition Over Motion
Earlier in the session, Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticized the opposition for bringing the motion against the Speaker, describing it as a rare occurrence in parliamentary history. "It is not an ordinary occurrence as after nearly four decades such a motion has been brought against the Speaker," Shah said, according to PTI reports.
He expressed regret over the opposition's actions, stating that it was unfortunate for parliamentary politics that parties were questioning the integrity of the Speaker. "According to the established history of this House, its proceedings are conducted on the basis of mutual trust. The Speaker serves as a neutral custodian, representing both the ruling party and the opposition," Shah emphasized.
Shah added that the House would function according to its own rules and not those of any political party. "The House will be run by its own rules and not by the rules of a party," he asserted.
Opposition Protests Disrupt Proceedings
During Shah's remarks, opposition members objected to certain statements and began shouting slogans, demanding that the home minister apologize. The protests disrupted the proceedings of the House and continued as the motion was put to vote.
Shah also noted that the Bharatiya Janata Party had spent a long period in the opposition but had never brought a no-confidence motion against a Speaker. He highlighted that in India's parliamentary history, such motions had been introduced only a few times.
"This is a regrettable event for both parliamentary politics and the House. Because the Speaker does not belong to any party, the Speaker belongs to the House," Shah said. He further stated that questioning the integrity of the Speaker amounted to casting doubts on democratic processes.
The session underscored the deepening political tensions in the Lok Sabha, with the opposition's attempt to challenge the Speaker's position ultimately failing amidst a backdrop of procedural chaos and heated exchanges.
