By Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday publicly backed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, praising his conduct and patience in managing parliamentary proceedings just days before the opposition’s planned move to seek his removal from office. The endorsement came at a politically sensitive moment, with opposition parties accusing the Speaker of favouring the government during debates in the lower house.
Addressing a virtual event for the foundation stone ceremony of the Kota–Bundi airport in Rajasthan, Modi lauded Birla’s approach to handling heated parliamentary exchanges. The Prime Minister portrayed the Speaker as someone who maintains composure even during intense disruptions, while also taking a veiled swipe at opposition leaders for their conduct inside the House.
Modi described Birla as a presiding officer who treats members across party lines with respect. “He patiently listens to harsh words and still greets everyone with a smile,” the Prime Minister said, adding that Birla has shown restraint even when confronted with what he called “arrogant and unruly” behaviour from some members belonging to prominent political families.
The remarks were widely seen as an indirect criticism of several opposition leaders who have frequently clashed with the Speaker during parliamentary proceedings.
Birla, who represents Kota in Rajasthan, has been at the centre of a political storm after opposition parties accused him of acting in a partisan manner during debates and disruptions in the Lok Sabha. Leaders from the Congress and other opposition groups claim that he has disproportionately curtailed their interventions while allowing government members greater leeway during discussions.
Modi, however, rejected such accusations and highlighted Birla’s record both as a parliamentarian and as the Speaker. According to the Prime Minister, Birla has upheld the dignity of the House while remaining firmly committed to the Constitution and parliamentary traditions.
“He is not part of any group and rises above partisan politics,” Modi said. He added that Birla performs his role much like the head of a large family, trying to ensure that every member of Parliament feels heard while maintaining order.
The controversy surrounding Birla escalated during the first half of the recent Budget session when he disallowed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from quoting passages from an unpublished memoir by former Army chief General M. M. Naravane. The decision sparked strong protests from opposition benches, leading to repeated disruptions in the House.
Tensions further intensified after Birla revealed that he had suggested to the Prime Minister that he cancel a scheduled speech in the Lok Sabha during a particularly chaotic session. According to Birla, he feared that the situation in the chamber could escalate, especially as several Congress women MPs had gathered near the Prime Minister’s seat in protest.
Following a series of such confrontations, opposition parties submitted a notice seeking Birla’s removal from the Speaker’s post. The motion, reportedly signed by 118 Members of Parliament, accuses him of failing to remain neutral in his conduct of parliamentary proceedings.
The Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the opposition’s resolution when the House reconvenes on Monday. However, the motion is widely expected to fail, given the clear numerical advantage enjoyed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the lower house.
Despite the impending debate, the Prime Minister’s remarks signal strong backing for Birla within the ruling alliance. The coming parliamentary session is likely to see sharp exchanges between the government and the opposition over the functioning and neutrality of the Speaker’s office.
