Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has alleged that he is being deliberately prevented from speaking in the Lok Sabha, accusing Speaker Om Birla of running the House in a non-democratic manner. Addressing the media outside Parliament, the Congress leader expressed his frustration, stating that he had repeatedly requested permission to speak but was ignored. “I don’t understand what’s happening. I requested to speak, but the Speaker just left. This is not the way to run the House,” Gandhi said. He further claimed that for the past 7-8 days, he had not been allowed to address the House, even when he attempted to raise concerns about issues like unemployment. The controversy comes amid heated exchanges in Parliament over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on the Maha Kumbh, where opposition members protested against the government’s handling of the event, particularly regarding deaths in a stampede at Prayagraj.
The Lok Sabha Speaker, before adjourning the House, defended his stance by emphasizing the importance of maintaining decorum. He stated that the conduct of several members had not met the high standards expected in the House and cited Rule 349, which outlines behavioral guidelines for MPs. Birla also mentioned that Parliament has seen family members serving together in the past and urged the Leader of the Opposition to adhere to established protocols. Last week, Speaker Om Birla invoked Rule 372 during the uproar over PM Modi’s Kumbh remarks, which allows the Prime Minister or any minister to make a statement in the House without interruption or taking questions. This rule was used to dismiss the opposition’s demands for a debate, further fueling allegations that the government was silencing dissenting voices.
Rahul Gandhi, in his response, maintained that his intent was not to disrupt proceedings but to participate in discussions on pressing national issues. He criticized the government for ignoring critical concerns, arguing that the Kumbh Mela speech should have acknowledged the economic hardships faced by young Indians. He reiterated that in a democracy, the Leader of the Opposition should be given an opportunity to speak, but in the current scenario, “they won’t let us.” The Congress leader’s statements highlight the growing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, with the latter accusing the government of suppressing parliamentary debate and weakening democratic institutions.
