Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday appealed to opposition MPs to allow Parliament to function smoothly, as their protests continued during the ongoing winter session. Birla emphasized that opposition members should raise their concerns during the Zero Hour, a time allotted for MPs to address issues without disrupting the House.
In his address, Birla urged MPs to ask pertinent questions, seek answers from the government, and engage in meaningful discussions with government representatives. He expressed his expectation that members would adhere to this approach for the smooth functioning of the Parliament.
Birla remarked, “We must treat Parliament as a sacred place, respecting its dignity. He stressed that Parliament shapes the nation’s future and allows our democracy to thrive, emphasizing the importance of maintaining decorum. He criticized the opposition’s use of protests, slogans, and posters, calling these actions not only undignified but also against the procedural rules of the House.
Birla’s request came as chaos continued in the House, leading him to adjourn proceedings until noon. He urged the opposition to use the Zero Hour constructively to raise critical issues, rather than disrupting the parliamentary process.
Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar convened a meeting with opposition leaders to ensure the smooth functioning of the Upper House. Only three opposition leaders, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, Congress’s Jairam Ramesh, and Pramod Tiwari, attended the meeting. The opposition leaders expressed their desire to have the House function but insisted on being allowed to speak.
Leader of the House, JP Nadda, reportedly suggested that opposition members should urge Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to end the protest and let the House proceed with its business.
The Congress party has been pressing the Union government for a probe into allegations against the Adani Group, accusing the government of favoring the industrialist. However, there was no mention of a potential no-confidence motion against the Chairman in the morning meeting, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
