A resolution seeking the removal of Om Birla as Speaker of the Lok Sabha is scheduled to be taken up on March 9 when the House reconvenes as part of the ongoing Budget Session.
The development follows a series of confrontations between the government and opposition benches during the first phase of the session. Opposition parties have accused Birla of acting in a “partisan” manner while presiding over the proceedings of the House.
According to the agenda released for the day, the proposed resolution will be the only item of business when the Lok Sabha meets after the recess.
Constitutional Procedure for Removing a Speaker
Under the Constitution of India, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed through a resolution passed by the House.
Once notice of such a resolution is listed for consideration, the House must first determine whether there is sufficient support to admit the motion.
Under parliamentary procedure, when the notice is called by the Chair, at least 50 Members of Parliament must stand in support of it. If the required number of MPs support the notice, the motion is formally admitted and taken up for discussion.
A debate then follows, after which the resolution is put to a vote. If the motion secures the required majority in the House, the Speaker can be removed from office.
The Constitution also provides that the Speaker cannot preside over the proceedings while the motion for his removal is under discussion. However, he is permitted to remain present in the House, defend himself during the debate, and vote on the resolution.
Notice Submitted by Congress MPs
The notice seeking Birla’s removal has been submitted by three members of the Indian National Congress — Mohamed Jawed, Kodikunnil Suresh and Mallu Ravi.
Opposition parties claim that at least 118 MPs have supported the notice.
Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress have issued a three-line whip directing their Lok Sabha members to remain present in the House during the proceedings.
Despite the opposition’s move, the numerical strength in the Lok Sabha remains strongly in favour of the government, making it likely that the motion will be defeated if it proceeds to voting.
Allegations Made by the Opposition
Opposition leaders have accused the Speaker of acting in a manner they claim undermines his constitutional obligation to remain impartial.
In the notice, they alleged that Birla prevented opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, from speaking in the House. They also claimed that he made “unwarranted allegations” against women MPs belonging to the opposition and suspended opposition members for an entire session after they raised issues of public concern.
The notice further alleged that Birla did not reprimand ruling party members for making objectionable remarks against former prime ministers and that he had “openly espoused the version of the ruling party on controversial matters”.
According to the opposition, these actions demonstrate that the Speaker has failed to maintain the neutrality required to command the confidence of all sections of the House.
What Triggered the Parliamentary Row
Tensions between the government and the opposition intensified earlier in the session after Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from an unpublished memoir of former Army chief M. M. Naravane concerning the 2020 India–China military standoff.
The Chair disallowed the reference, triggering protests from opposition members.
The session subsequently witnessed repeated disruptions, and eight opposition MPs were suspended for unruly behaviour.
During the turmoil, an unusual situation arose when the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address was passed by voice vote without the customary reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Birla later stated that he had received information suggesting that some Congress MPs might carry out an “unexpected act” near the Prime Minister’s seat and therefore advised Modi not to attend the House to deliver his speech. The allegation was rejected by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Prime Minister Modi Defends Birla
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly defended the Lok Sabha Speaker, describing him as an “outstanding parliamentarian” and an effective presiding officer.
Speaking during a virtual address at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Kota Airport, Modi said Birla functions above party lines and remains committed to constitutional and parliamentary procedures.
The Prime Minister added that Birla treats members of both the ruling side and the opposition equally and manages the House “like the head of a family”, respecting the sentiments of all MPs.
Support from Opposition Allies
The All India Trinamool Congress has announced that it will support the resolution seeking Birla’s removal. Party leaders said most of their MPs will be present in the House during the proceedings and that they remain in contact with other members of the opposition INDIA bloc regarding the issue.
What Is Expected in the House
When the Lok Sabha reconvenes on March 9, the notice seeking the removal of Om Birla will be formally taken up for consideration.
The House will first determine whether the motion has the required support to be admitted. If admitted, it will be followed by a debate and a vote.
However, given the ruling coalition’s numerical advantage in the Lok Sabha, the motion is widely expected to be defeated if it reaches the voting stage.
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