Lok Sabha takes up resolution seeking removal of Speaker Om Birla
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, passed a resolution filed by the Opposition seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla; both the treasury and Opposition benches made harsh accusations about the President’s conduct and impartiality.
While Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described the motion as “an attack on democracy itself”, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the Opposition was compelled to bring the resolution to “preserve the impartiality” of the institution of the Speaker.
Parliament Budget session updates on March 10, 2026
The 10-hour discussion will extend until the second day on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, and will end with a vote. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to intervene in the debate before the Assembly votes on the motion.
Controversy about presiding officer
The hearing began with Congress MP Mohammad Jawed reading the memorandum recommending the resolution to remove Mr Birla. The motion was also proposed by Congress MPs K. Suresh and Mallu Ravi.
During the discussion, a brief procedural dispute arose over who would preside over the hearing. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi asked why BJP MP Jagdambika Pal was chairing the session and argued that Mr. Pal was appointed to the panel of chairmen by the Speaker himself.
The objection was countered by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Mr Rijiju, who said the allegation was “irrelevant” and that Mr Pal had the authority to preside over the House during the debate.
After the Chairperson asked members supporting the declaration to stand, more than the required 50 MPs took their seats, allowing the motion to be accepted for debate.
Gogoi talks about LoP treatment
Opening the debate on behalf of the Opposition, Mr Gogoi launched a scathing attack on the Speaker’s conduct, alleging partisan behavior and arguing that the decision was necessary to “save the Constitution” and preserve the reputation of Parliament.
“We regret that we have to bring such a resolution as we all have personal relations with the Speaker. But it is our dharma and duty to maintain the decorum and dignity of this House,” Mr. Gogoi said.
He alleged that the Opposition was repeatedly denied the opportunity to raise critical issues in the Parliament and referred to the treatment of Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
“In February, when the Leader of the Opposition tried to speak during the Motion of Thanks, he was interrupted 20 times. The remarks came from the Speaker, panel members and senior leaders of the treasury benches,” Mr. Gogoi said.
According to the Congress leader, the disruptions were “premeditated” and prevented Mr Gandhi from raising important issues before the Parliament.
‘MPs were silenced’
“There was an expectation that the Chairman would be impartial. But a search of the unredacted minutes will show how many times the Leader of the Opposition was interrupted. While he was standing, another member was called to speak,” Mr. Gogoi said.
“Is this the parliamentary tradition we want to show? Microphones are used to silence MPs. This is in direct contradiction with the rituals of this House,” he added.
Mr. Gogoi also cited instances where remarks made by Opposition members were deleted while allegations made by treasury panel members were allowed to remain on record.
‘The speaker is always impartial’
Intervening during the debate, Mr. Rijiju rejected the Opposition’s accusations and strongly defended Mr. Birla, saying that the Speaker had always acted impartially and had in fact provided ample opportunities for Opposition members to raise issues.
He accused the Congress of targeting constitutional institutions since it lost power in 2014 and said the latest move was aimed at undermining the office of the Speaker.
“This decision against the Speaker is akin to an attack on democracy itself,” Mr. Rijiju said, adding that the Speaker’s decisions are final and must be respected by all members of the House.
Defending Mr Birla’s tenure, the Minister said the Speaker had initiated several reforms to modernize the functioning of parliament, including steps to make Parliament paperless and encouraging greater participation of younger members.
Mr Rijiju also rejected allegations of bias, claiming that Opposition members were given ample opportunity to ask follow-up questions and raise issues of public importance.
It was published – 10 March 2026 08:27 IST
