Speaker’s Advice to Prime Minister
On February 4, 2026, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to attend a scheduled session due to anticipated protests from Opposition members. Mr. Birla, in addressing the House, stated he had received “definite information” that the protests would be unprecedented in nature, leading to an adjournment of the session.
As a result, the Prime Minister was unable to deliver his customary reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, which was instead passed without his involvement on February 5, 2026.
Details of the Incidents
During the session on February 4, women MPs from various Opposition parties walked across the aisle to display banners in front of the Prime Minister’s front-row seat, effectively disrupting the proceedings. This protest was primarily directed at allegations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against former Congress Prime Ministers.
Speaker Birla expressed disappointment over the conduct of some members, labeling their behavior as unparalleled in the history of the House. He mentioned this while addressing the media after adjourning the session due to the uproar, saying, “With sadness, I have to inform that some members displayed such behaviour in the House … that had never been witnessed in its history.”
Background of the Protests
The Motion of Thanks being discussed stems from President Droupadi Murmu’s recent address to Parliament, where she outlined the government’s achievements and future plans. The tradition includes the Prime Minister addressing the House to respond to the discussions, a key moment that was skipped due to the heated environment created by the Opposition.
Following the protests, Congress leaders signaled that they would only allow PM Modi to speak when their own Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, was permitted to address the House as well. This condition added further complexity to the already volatile situation.
Opposition’s Response to the Speaker’s Reprimand
After the adjournment, a group of Congress MPs sought a meeting with Speaker Birla in his chamber. They questioned the decision to allow MP Dubey to make his allegations and demanded action against him. This meeting highlights the heightened tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition members.
During this discussion, the Speaker took note of the objections but did not guarantee any immediate changes, instead reiterating the need for decorum within the parliamentary framework. Officials later confirmed that several contentious statements made during the session had been expunged from the official records.
Reactions from Political Players
Political analysts suggest that the disruption in the Lok Sabha marks a significant escalation in the ongoing struggle for discourse between the ruling party and the Opposition. The protests underscore the deepening rifts within Indian politics, especially in the context of parliamentary proceedings.
A senior Congress leader emphasized the necessity of accountability from the Prime Minister, stating, “We deserve to hear from our Prime Minister, but not under conditions where our leaders cannot respond. This is about democratic norms and fairness in our parliamentary process.”
Future Implications
This recent episode poses questions about the functioning of the Lok Sabha in the coming days, particularly concerning how both parties will navigate their strategies moving forward. The effectiveness of parliamentary discussions may be further tested if such protests continue to emerge.
Moreover, this incident comes at a time when key legislation, including budgetary discussions, is on the horizon, and the government will need to manage both its legislative agenda and the growing dissent from the Opposition.
Closing Remarks
As the Lok Sabha prepares for future sessions, the hope remains that cooler heads will prevail, and constructive dialogue can resume. For many observers, this incident could be seen as a litmus test for the resilience of India’s democratic institutions amidst escalating political tensions.
In summary, the absence of PM Modi’s response during such a crucial discussion raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the government. The events have set a challenging precedent for the functioning of the Lok Sabha as it grapples with contentious political dynamics.