How Can Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Be Removed? Answers To Key Questions

Opposition parties submitted a notice to remove Om Birla as Lok Sabha speaker, accusing him of partisan conduct and making false allegations against Congress MPs.

The Constitution allows for the removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker through a House resolution under Article 94(c).

Under Article 94, the Speaker vacates office if he or she is removed by a resolution of the Lok Sabha passed by a majority of all the then members of the House.

The notice was issued by opposition parties after Rahul Gandhi and other leaders were barred from speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, and eight MPs were suspended.

The process begins with a written notice of intention to move a resolution for removal. Parliamentary rules mandate a minimum notice period of 14 days.

The process begins with a written notice to the Secretary-General, signed by at least two MPs, followed by a mandatory 14-day notice period. When taken up, it must be backed by at least 50 MPs; otherwise, it lapses.

Once admitted, the House must take up the motion within 10 days, with debate limited to the stated charges. It must secure a majority of the total membership to pass.

The Speaker may remain in the House and defend himself as an MP, and can vote like any other member. However, he cannot preside over the sitting or exercise a casting vote during the discussion on his removal.

Historically, no Lok Sabha Speaker has ever been removed through this process, although a removal motion has been attempted three times in the past.

The resolution must be passed by a majority of the total membership of the House. The process—written notice, waiting period, minimum support, debate and final vote—ensures removal only with broad backing, not as a routine political move.