New Delhi, India – Rahul Gandhi recently criticized Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of showing partiality towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a parliamentary session. Gandhi’s comments came after an incident where he felt Birla’s gestures were overly deferential to Modi, leading to allegations of bias and partiality in the handling of parliamentary proceedings.
“Speaker sir, when you were put on the chair, I walked with you to your chair. You are the final arbiter of Lok Sabha. What you say fundamentally defines Indian democracy,” Gandhi began, setting the stage for his critical observation. “Speaker sir, there are two people sitting in the chair, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Mr. Om Birla. When I shook your hand, you stood straight and shook my hand. When Modi ji shook your hand, you bowed down.”
In response, Speaker Om Birla defended his actions, asserting his commitment to maintaining neutrality and upholding parliamentary procedures. He emphasized that his conduct is guided by the rules and traditions of the Lok Sabha, aiming to ensure fair and orderly proceedings. Birla’s response aimed to reassure the public and parliamentarians of his impartiality and dedication to democratic principles.
The incident has intensified political tensions, with opposition leaders rallying behind Gandhi’s accusations. The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about the perceived erosion of democratic norms and the impartiality of parliamentary institutions in India. The broader political context includes frequent clashes between the ruling party and opposition, raising questions about the state of Indian democracy.
For more details, you can read the full report here.
