New Delhi, Feb 4: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday appeared anguished over the manner in which a few proceedings of the House were conducted and reminded they “did not measure up to the dignity of Parliament”.
“Comment on the Chair inside and outside the House have violate the dignity and decorum of the House. “Dignity of the house needs to be maintained by all members. “It is the endeavour of the Chair that the House functions fairly as per rules and procedures.
“The member on the Chair also has all the constitutional rights of the Speaker. “The member or any other person should not comment on the Chair. This hurts our parliamentary democracy. I have taken the comments made inside and outside the House seriously.”
His reactions came after Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra reacted to Deputy Speaker in an unbecoming manner. This was after Birla on Wednesday schooled Rahul Gandhi for allowing a member to speak while the Congress leader was speaking on Motion of Thanks. Allowing anybody to speak is soul right of the Chair.
On Friday, Birla said: “Members should not comment in the House, outside the House and on social media, that would be appropriate. “Our behaviour and conduct should maintain decorum of the House. I expect members to co-operate to maintain the dignity of the House and the Chair.” Immediately MPs from across party lines, both Treasury and Opposition benches, regretted the events of Thursday and profusely apologised.
NC MP Farooq Abdullah called the Speaker “Father of the House” , “Master of the House” and drew comparison to British PM Boris Johnson facing rebuke from UK Parliament Speaker recenly. NCP MP Supriya Sule also regretting the happenings and promised such would not be repeated. Congress’ Leader of the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also expressed regret. Minutes later when Adhir Ranjan stood up to speak on Motion of Thanks and there was disturbance, Birla immediately asked members to maintain decorum as Congress leader was speaking.
