‘Planned obstructions’ in Parliament not a healthy sign for democracy, says Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Expressing displeasure over the repeated disruptions in the Lok Sabha during the recent Monsoon Session, Speaker Om Birla in Bhubaneswar on Saturday (August 30, 2025) said that “planned obstruction” was not a healthy sign for democracy.

Addressing a press conference at the end of the two-day-long National Conference of Scheduled Castes and Tribes Welfare Committees of Parliament and State and Union Territory Legislatures, Mr. Birla said, “Whether Parliament or the State Assemblies, these Houses are for discussion and dialogue. Agreement and disagreement — these have always been the strength of our democracy.”

“Be it the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Speaker of any State Assembly, their effort is always to ensure that in the House — whether during Question Hour, discussions on national issues, or in the process of law-making — there should be wide-ranging debates and dialogue,” he said.

“However, it is indeed a matter of concern for all of us, and from time to time, during the sessions of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislatures, continuous planned disruptions inside the Houses have become a practice. I have also said earlier that planned disruptions are not good for democracy,” said Mr. Birla.

“Agreement and disagreement are natural, and ideological differences too are natural. But in democratic institutions, results must come through discussion, dialogue, agreement, and disagreement — not through disruption,” he pointed out.

The two-time Lok Sabha Speaker said people elect their representatives with expectations and aspirations. “They want their representatives to raise the problems of their region and issues of development. Through the House, attention of the government is drawn so that the difficulties and challenges faced by the people can be addressed, and their lives can be made easier. That is why my constant effort has been that there should not be any disruptions and sloganeering.”

“Disruptions should not become the tradition of democracy. Our conduct and behavior as public representatives should be such that the people of the country take guidance from us. They look up to us with expectations of leadership. Therefore, our language, our speech, our behaviour should remain dignified inside the House and outside,” Mr. Birla remarked.

When asked about the reluctance of many Opposition parties not being a part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee and what would happen to decisions on constituting such committees, the Speaker said, “There has never been differences over political line in Parliamentary committees. My effort will be to carry forward good practices. We talk to all political parties and hold discussions.”

“We have already sought names from all political parties for the parliamentary committees. Very soon, we will constitute these committees where wide-ranging deliberations will take place,” he said.

On the issue of deteriorating standard of debates inside Parliament and State Assemblies, Mr. Birla said: “Whether it is Parliament or the State Assemblies, expectation of the people is that inside the Houses and legislatures there should be debates and discussions. So that dignity and prestige of the institution remains high. That is why, from time to time, we keep discussing with all political parties, and inside the House and keep appealing that debates and dialogue must happen — but in a dignified manner. Disagreement must also carry manner of dignity.”

When asked about allegations of the Speaker taking partisan views inside the House, Mr. Birla said: “We have digitised all debates and proceedings in Parliament since 1947 — whether on Bills, motions, or Question Hour. All these have been placed on a single digital platform. On this platform, by subject, by name, or by date, one can access the entire record of discussions and debates.”