Speaker forced to act according to government wishes: Opposition in Lok Sabha

The Opposition and Treasury benches took each other head on in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the motion for removal of Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). While the ruling side asserted that the motion had been moved to satisfy the “the ego of one person”, Opposition MPs maintained that they had nothing personal against the Speaker and he was being forced to act according to the wishes of the government.

Congress MP K.C. Venugopal claimed that the Speaker had repeatedly barred Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi from speaking in the House whenever he stood up, though, according to convention, the LoP is always allowed to speak.

Parliament Budget session highlights on March 11, 2026

“We know it [the motion] is an extreme measure, but we have been forced to do this,” Mr. Venugopal said, adding that the no-confidence motion was introduced to protect the fundamental rights of MPs, even though the Opposition knew the numbers were not in their favour.

“Personally, Om Birla may be ok. But his hands are tied,” he alleged.

The Congress MP from Kerala’s Alappuzha constituency said that the government was worried about the LoP because he has the courage to speak out.

Countering the ruling party’s remarks that Mr. Gandhi spoke against the nation whenever he travelled abroad, Mr. Venugopal cited nine instances where he claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made adverse comments about the Government of India and its people on foreign soil.

“Where did the Speaker get the information that women MPs will attack the PM? If he had that information then why did he not go with it to the police? This was the most irresponsible statement by the Speaker,” Mr. Venugopal said.

These remarks drew a sharp reaction from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju who asked Mr. Venugopal to be cautious in making allegations against the Speaker since he was not present to defend or chair the proceedings.

Mr. Rijiju said that 25-30 MPs went to the Speaker’s chamber. “I have never witnessed such misbehaviour from MPs in front of a Speaker throughout my long career in Parliament.”

The Minister also said that if footage of the CCTV camera was released, the whole world would be ashamed of the behaviour of Opposition MPs.

BJP MP and former Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the resolution to remove the Speaker should not be weaponised to “satisfy the ego” of a leader.

Citing constitutional provisions to counter the Opposition’s claim that the panel of chairpersons cannot run the House when the resolution for the removal of Speaker is being discussed, he said “The problem is that they [Opposition] won’t understand.”

Mr. Prasad alleged that the LoP travelled to various countries where he mocked Parliament, the Constitution and the Election Commission. The Congress had won several elections in the past but was now targeting these very institutions, he said.

Trinamool Congress MP Sayani Ghosh said the voice of the Opposition members has been “curbed” and MPs have been forced to fight for their rights in the House.

She alleged that Parliament, a policy-making platform, had been converted into an advertising platform.

Anurag Thakur, BJP MP from Hamirpur, claimed the Opposition was making false allegations and described Mr. Birla as an impartial Speaker who gave all the members a chance to speak in the House.

Alleging that the LoP was in fact a “Leader of Propaganda”, he said the Opposition was creating a false narrative by stating that the Speaker targeted their MPs by expunging their remarks.