'Don't gag people's voice': Speaker Om Birla schooled against 'suppression' and 'suspension'

Following his election as Speaker of the Lok Sabha by voice voting on Wednesday for a second consecutive term, Om Birla was immediately lectured by the INDIA bloc about the principles of parliamentary democracy.

The opposition emphasized that "much more the voice of the Indian people" is now represented by it, and that "suspensions" should not be used to "suppress" it.

The Opposition loudly objected to the motion putting Birla's name up, but they did not force a split of votes, clearing the way for the election of the NDA's nominee for the House's high chair. Birla was proclaimed elected by Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, who said that the "ayes have it." He ruled that the motions made to suggest Kodikunnil Suresh, the opposition candidate, as a candidate were "infructuous."

Wearing a kurta-pajama on his first day as the Opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi got up from his seat to congratulate Birla on his election. He shook hands with Narendra Modi and followed protocol, leading the Prime Minister and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to the Speaker's chair. But then, after congratulating Birla—second only to the Prime Minister—he added poignant remarks for the Chair to his speech.

Rahul reminded Birla in his brief, less than five-minute statement in English that the Speaker has a duty to "defend the Constitution" by allowing the Opposition to speak, given its increased strength in the House.

"On behalf of the INDIA alliance and the entire Opposition, let me extend my congratulations to you. As the ultimate arbiter of the voice of the Indian people, you, Speaker Sir, represent that voice in this House. Rahul stated, "Of course, the government has political power, but the opposition also speaks for the people of India.

To cheers from the Opposition benches, he remarked, "And this time, the Opposition represents the voice of the Indian people significantly more than it did last time."

Rahul pledged to work with the Speaker of the Opposition to conduct the House "often and well." He emphasized his argument by adding, "Cooperation happens on the basis of trust," at the same moment.

Allowing the voice of the opposition to be represented in this House is crucial. He remarked, "I am sure that you will let us speak, let us represent our voice, and let us speak for the people.

The effectiveness with which the House is operated is not at issue. How much of India's voice is permitted to be heard in this House is the question, Rahul continued.

The last blows were delivered towards the end. "Speaker, sir, it is hardly democratic to think that the House can be effectively administered by stifling the opposition's voice. Furthermore, this election has demonstrated that the Indian populace expects the Opposition to uphold the nation's Samvidhan, or Constitution.

Rahul continued, "And we are confident that you will do your duty of defending the Constitution of India by allowing the Opposition to speak and by allowing us to represent the voice of the people of India."

Subsequently, Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, took the lead. His party surprised the BJP by securing 37 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. He was equally as caustic, but his tone was devoid of bitterness.

Akhilesh informed Birla in Hindi that the position he held was associated with illustrious traditions, and he quickly added that he thought these traditions would continue without any form of “discrimination”.

One of this important position's great responsibilities is impartiality. We anticipate that no public official's voice will be silenced and that a similar step to expulsion won't happen ever again, Akhilesh stated.

It appears that Akhilesh was alluding to the historic suspension of over a hundred Members of Parliament during the winter session of the previous year.

"The opposition has control, but the ruling side should also have control," he remarked.

"I hope you would allow the opposition to present their case and respect them as much as you respect the current regime," Akhilesh remarked.

"Mr. Speaker, the House should follow your instructions and the opposite shouldn't happen," the SP leader remarked, grinning. "Adhyaksh mahoday, aapke ishare par sadan chale, iska ulta na ho."

With a hint of irony, Akhilesh attempted to highlight the distinction between the Speaker's Chair in the old Parliament building and the one in the new one. "The Speaker's Chair was elevated in the previous House. I don't know who to tell, but it should be just as high in this House as well," he remarked, pointing out some evident cement fractures in the "lovely wall" behind the chair.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay stood after Akhilesh to offer his congratulations on Birla's election. Following the opening rituals, Sudip reflected on his extensive background and stated that the "attitude of the Treasury benches" determines how well the House operates.

"The House is the Opposition's property in terms of the legislative democratic process. The ruling party itself must take up this mindset, he declared.

Sudip continued his jab at Birla, emphasizing that he had to “bow down” to “pressure from the ruling party,” alluding to the Speaker's previous tenure. "Sir, you may have the best of intentions and well wishes. But occasionally, you have to give in to the pressure of the ruling party," he remarked.

Sudip brought attention to the high number of MPs suspended during Birla's tenure in the previous House. "This House has suspended 150 Members of Parliament in a single day. It's not what you want," he declared.

The Trinamool MP praised Modi for the record number of measures that were passed by the last Lok Sabha, but he also pointed out that there was no debate during that session. He expressed his hope that this trend would not be repeated in the 18th Lok Sabha.

"The introduction and passage of numerous bills in the House have been mentioned by the PM. We are grateful for that. However, a great deal of legislation have also been approved without any debate, according to Sudip. He promised collaboration, saying, "I would humbly submit to you that let some positive decisions be taken so that the bills can be tabled and discussed in a proper manner."

T.R. Baalu of the DMK reminded Birla that although if he was elected on the basis of the "lotus" emblem, his current position requires him to be impartial.

"Sir, it is possible that you were chosen based on the lotus symbol; although the lotus floats in water, it does not permit water to adhere to it. In the same way, even though my BJP friends helped you win the election, politics should not come between you and this House from now on. You are devoid of color, Baalu remarked.

You have to apply the same standards to both the ruling party and the opposition. Thus, all I'd want to ask is that you please be unbiased, neutral, and impartial. I'm grateful, he said.