Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the motion seeking Birla’s removal, Shah said the role of the Speaker is that of a neutral mediator.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the opposition in Lok Sabha, accusing it of questioning the foundations of Indian democracy by moving a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla.
“The Constitution has given the Speaker the role of mediator. It has cast doubt on the mediator. In 75 years, both houses have made the foundation of our democracy deeper than the ‘pattal’. The opposition has cast doubt on the reputation of this deep foundation,” he said.
The no-confidence motion moved by the opposition parties against Birla was later rejected by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday evening.
Amid protests and slogans raised by opposition members demanding an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was chairing the House, announced that the no-confidence motion had been defeated.
Speaking during the debate on the resolution seeking Birla’s removal, Shah said the Speaker acts as a neutral mediator representing both the ruling side and the opposition, and said questioning this position undermines Parliament’s traditions and functioning.
“This is not normal. After nearly four decades, a no-confidence motion has been moved against the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. It is unfortunate for parliamentary politics and this House,” Shah said while responding to the debate.
The motion was moved by the Congressman
The resolution was introduced by Muhammad Jawad of the Indian National Congress. More than 50 representatives supported this move, allowing it to be formally presented to the House of Representatives.
Read also When a motion of no confidence is presented to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha
During the proceedings, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the session, granted permission to move the resolution and announced that 10 hours had been allocated for discussion.
Shah defends the role of Speaker of the House
Shah emphasized that the Council’s work depends on mutual trust and adherence to the rules. He said that the responsibility of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is to act as an impartial guardian of the House of Representatives.
“As per the established history of this House, its proceedings are conducted on the basis of mutual trust. The Speaker acts as a neutral guardian, representing both the ruling party and the opposition. Specific rules have been created by the Lok Sabha itself to guide how the Speaker runs the sessions. This House is not a marketplace; members are expected to speak and participate in accordance with its rules and procedures,” he said.
Shah says the BJP has never made such a proposal
Shah also pointed out that the BJP and NDA never made a similar proposal during their time in the opposition.
“While in the opposition, the BJP-NDA never moved a no-confidence motion against the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. We worked as a constructive opposition. We maintained the dignity of the office of Speaker,” he said.
He added that three such motions had been moved in the history of the Lok Sabha, but none of them had been brought by the BJP or the NDA.
The discussion of the resolution witnessed the participation of more than 42 members from various party affiliations.
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgment and a clear understanding of what makes a story important and action-driven. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya strikes a thoughtful balance between news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring that stories resonate beyond the immediate headlines. Over the course of her three-year journey in digital news, Shivya has worked across a wide range of industries, including politics, civic issues, human interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to engage with stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is analyzing complex developments or shedding light on everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human interest stories, interviews and explanations that provide depth and clarity, and aims to go beyond superficial reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Before joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a wide range of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism. Outside of the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cozy spaces, and thoughtful conversation. Shopping is another hobby she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of making unexpected finds. Above all, she values the time she spends with her loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that last a long time.Read more
