No MP enjoys privilege; would be forced to take action to maintain LS dignity: Birla
New Delhi (PTI): Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said Lok Sabha functions strictly according to rules and no member has the privilege to speak whenever he or she wishes and warned that if anyone behaves contrary to the decorum of the House, he would be compelled to take strict action to preserve its dignity.
A day after a resolution seeking his removal from office was defeated, Birla also said in Lok Sabha that members may personally agree or disagree with the decision of the Chair, but it remains his duty to enforce the rules, procedures and traditions of the House.
He said the Chair does not belong to any individual, it is a symbol of India’s democratic traditions, the spirit of the Constitution, and the prestige of this great institution.
The speaker said whether it is the Leader of the House (Prime Minister), the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), or any other member - they can speak only by following the procedures laid down in the rules of the House.
Thursday was the first time Birla came to the House to conduct the proceedings since the notice of no confidence was given against him by the opposition on February 10 during the first part of the Budget session, which ended on February 13. The second part of the session began on March 9.
Birla said MPs always must remember that disagreements and intense exchanges of ideas are natural in parliamentary debate but there is a clear line between democratic discourse and disorder.
"Waving placards, shouting slogans, tearing papers, or climbing on desks are contrary to our great parliamentary traditions. Such behaviour not only disrupts proceedings but also diminishes the prestige of the House," he said, adding whether there is praise or criticism, his resolve remains the same: to protect the dignity of the House and uphold its rules.
Referring to remarks by some members that the Leader of the Opposition (Rahul Gandhi) was disallowed to table a magazine article based on the unpublished memoir of former Army chief M M Naravane on the India-China conflict of 2020, Birla cited rulings by past speakers when members were not allowed to table documents by the Chair.
"From this sacred Chair, I wish to clarify that whether it is the Leader of the House (Prime Minister), the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), ministers, or any other member - all members can speak only by following the procedures laid down in the rules of the House," he said.
The speaker said some members believe that the LoP may rise at any time and speak on any subject of their choosing, they consider this to be a special privilege.
"Whenever the prime minister or any minister wishes to make a statement in the House, prior permission of the speaker is required. No member in this House possesses any privilege to speak outside the framework of these rules," he said and cited a few past examples when chair did not allow to lay photographs, government documents and quote letters in the House.
Therefore, he said, while MPs indeed enjoy freedom of speech in Parliament, it is subject to the rules and procedures approved by the House.
"I have always endeavoured to conduct the proceedings of the House with impartiality, discipline, balance, and in accordance with the rules. The primary responsibility of the speaker is to maintain harmony, order, and efficiency in the House while carrying everyone together. My constant effort has been to ensure that the dignity, decorum, and prestige of the House continue to grow," he said.
Birla said he has always maintained cordial personal relations with members across party lines and never wishes for any action to be taken against any member.
"Whenever certain members behave in a manner contrary to the decorum of the House, I am compelled to take strict decisions in order to preserve the dignity of this institution," he said.
He added that whenever disciplinary action becomes necessary to maintain order in the House, "it causes me deep sadness".
Referring to concerns expressed by some MPs during the two-day debate regarding respect for women MPs, Birla said he has always held the highest respect for all women members.
"My endeavour has always been to ensure that every woman member gets the opportunity to speak in the House. I take pride in the fact that during my tenure every woman MP, including first-time, has expressed her valuable views in this House," he said.
However, he said, when certain members crossed the Well of the House, approached the treasury benches raising slogans and displaying banners, an unexpected situation could have arisen.
"In order to prevent any such situation and maintain order, I requested the Leader of the House (Prime Minister) not to enter the chamber at that moment," he said, reiterating his February 5 statement in the House.
On February 5, Birla had said that he had concrete information that many Congress MPs could carry out an "unexpected act" by reaching the spot where Prime Minister Narendra Modi sits and therefore he asked him not to come to the House to deliver his reply to the debate on motion of thanks to the President's address.
He said he was grateful to the members of the House for reposing their faith in him during debate. He also thanked all those who spoke in favour of him as well as against him.
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Hormuz Strait disruptions have caused huge economic impact, energy instability in region: Navy chief
Mumbai (PTI): The Strait of Hormuz disruptions have caused severe economic impact and energy instability in the region, Indian Navy chief Admiral D K Tripathi said on Thursday amid the war in West Asia.
Speaking at an event where INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel, set sail from Mumbai as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, the admiral said competition at sea has no longer remained confined to oil and energy.
It is now expanding towards resources that will shape future growth - such as rare earth elements, critical minerals, new fishing grounds and even data, he said.
The West Asia crisis began on February 28 after a joint attack by the US and Israel on Iran.
Iran's strikes on its neighbours along with its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted the world's energy supplies with effects far beyond West Asia.
"With the conflict in West Asia well into its fifth week, the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have caused severe economic impact and energy instability in the region," Tripathi said.
There is significant increase in the marine survey, deep-sea research activity, and Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU), often encroaching upon the sovereign rights of littoral nations and exploiting gaps in monitoring and enforcement, he said.
Alongside these, threats such as piracy, armed robbery and narco-trafficking backed by unimpeded access of advanced technology to non-state actors, have also become more complex and challenging to counter, the Navy chief pointed out.
Last year alone, the Indian Ocean Region witnessed a staggering 3,700 maritime incidents of varying nature, the admiral said.
Additionally, narcotics seizures in the region exceeded USD 1 billion USD in 2025, highlighting the persistence and spread of such challenges in the region, he said.
