The Lok Sabha on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) took up a resolution moved by the Opposition seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, with both the treasury and Opposition benches trading sharp accusations over the functioning and neutrality of the Chair.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described the motion as an “attack on democracy itself”, while Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the Opposition had been compelled to bring the resolution in order to “protect the neutrality” of the institution of the Speaker.
Parliament Budget session updates on March 10, 2026
The discussion, for which 10 hours have been allotted, will extend into a second day on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) and conclude with a vote. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to intervene in the debate before the House votes on the motion.
Debate on presiding officer
The proceedings began with Congress MP Mohammad Jawed reading out the notice seeking to move the resolution for Mr. Birla’s removal. The motion was also moved by fellow Congress MPs K. Suresh and Mallu Ravi.
A brief procedural row erupted over who would preside over the proceedings during the debate. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi raised a point of order, asking why BJP MP Jagdambika Pal was chairing the session, and arguing that Mr. Pal had been appointed to the panel of chairpersons by the Speaker himself.
The objection was countered by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Mr. Rijiju, who said the claim was “irrelevant” and that Mr. Pal was competent to preside over the House during the debate.
After the presiding officer asked members supporting the notice to stand up, more than the required 50 MPs rose in their seats, allowing the motion to be admitted for discussion.
Gogoi cites LoP treatment
Initiating the debate on behalf of the Opposition, Mr. Gogoi launched a sharp attack on the Speaker’s conduct, alleging partisan behaviour and arguing that the resolution was necessary to “save the Constitution” and uphold the dignity of Parliament.
“We are saddened that we had to bring such a resolution because we all have personal relations with the Speaker. But it is our dharma and duty to protect the decorum and dignity of this House,” Mr. Gogoi said.
He alleged that the Opposition had repeatedly been denied the opportunity to raise critical issues in the House and cited the treatment of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
“In the month of February, when the Leader of the Opposition tried to speak during the Motion of Thanks, he was interrupted 20 times. The interruptions came from the Chair, members of the panel, and senior leaders of the treasury benches,” Mr. Gogoi said.
According to the Congress leader, the interruptions were “premeditated” and prevented Mr. Gandhi from raising important matters before the House.
‘MPs silenced’
“There was an expectation that the Chair would be neutral. But research of the uncorrected transcripts will show the number of times the Leader of the Opposition was interrupted. While he was on his feet, another member was called upon to speak,” Mr. Gogoi said.
“Is this the parliamentary tradition we want to show? Microphones are being used to silence MPs. This stands in direct contradiction with the rituals of this House,” he added.
Mr. Gogoi also cited instances where Opposition members’ remarks were expunged, while allegations made by treasury bench members were allowed to remain on record.
‘Speaker always impartial’
Intervening during the debate, Mr. Rijiju rejected the Opposition’s charges and strongly defended Mr. Birla, saying that the Speaker had always acted impartially and had, in fact, provided many opportunities to Opposition members to raise issues.
He accused the Congress of targeting constitutional institutions since losing power in 2014 and said the latest move was aimed at undermining the office of the Speaker.
“This resolution against the Speaker is akin to an attack on democracy itself,” Mr. Rijiju said, adding that the decisions of the Speaker were final and must be respected by all members of the House.
Defending Mr. Birla’s tenure, the Minister said the Speaker had introduced several reforms to modernise parliamentary functioning, including steps towards making Parliament paperless and encouraging greater participation from younger members.
Mr. Rijiju also dismissed allegations of bias, claiming that Opposition members had been given ample opportunity to ask supplementary questions and raise matters of public importance.
Published – March 10, 2026 08:27 pm IST
