Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said the House rules apply to every lawmaker and no one has special privileges to interfere outside the scope of their role.
Addressing the Opposition’s main claim that Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi is not allowed to speak, Birla said, “Some honorable members have said that the Leader of the Opposition is prevented from speaking and is not given adequate opportunity to speak. I want to state from this honorable bench that whether it is the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Ministers or any other member – all the honorable members have the right to speak only adhering to the procedures laid down under the House Rules.”
He added: “Some honorable members believe that the Leader of the Opposition can say anything, on any subject, in any answer in the House. They feel that this is their prerogative. I want to make it clear that the House works according to the rules – and the rules that govern the work of the House are set by the House itself, not the government or the opposition. These rules have been inherited by me. The rules apply equally to all members of this House.”
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This development comes a day after the proposal to remove Birla was defeated in the House of Representatives.
After assuming the presidency for the first time since February 10, the day the opposition moved a no-confidence motion, Birla appealed to the House, saying: “Let us all begin today a new, positive and constructive chapter. Let us move forward together on the path of national service and nation building.”
Birla also pointed out that the Prime Minister or Ministers have to obtain prior approval under Rule 372 to make a statement in the House on a matter of public importance.
“No Honorable Member has the privilege of speaking beyond the rules in this House,” Birla said, noting that India has a “rich tradition of respect for the dignity, decorum and rules of democratic institutions.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives cited examples indicating that it is not permissible to place any document on the Council’s table or quote from it without obtaining prior permission from the President.
He added: “Everyone has always respected this tradition. Any respected member may personally agree or disagree with the decision of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, but it is my duty to implement the rules, procedures and traditions of the House.”
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha stated that the House of Representatives represents the sovereign will of India’s 140 million citizens, and every member present here carries with him the mandate of millions of citizens.
“Every honorable member also carries with him the hope of alleviating the problems, deprivation and inequality of the citizens of India and fulfilling their expectations, aspirations and hopes. I have always endeavored to ensure that every honorable member within the Council expresses his or her views on topics/issues within the rules and procedures, and that all honorable members have adequate opportunities to do so. This Council must become the voice of every person at the bottom of society, which is our most pressing need today,” he added.
