Modi-led NDA & Opposition Clash Over Lok Sabha Rules During Rahul Gandhi’s Speech: A Breakdown of the Cited Rules

During Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha, there was significant uproar from the treasury benches when he displayed an image of the Hindu god Shiva. Rahul used the image to criticize the Modi government, accusing it of attacking the idea of India, the Constitution, and its defenders. In response, Speaker Om Birla cited Rule 359 (xvi) from the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, which prohibits members from displaying flags, emblems, or any exhibits while the House is in session. Despite Birla’s repeated reminders, Rahul continued to show the image during his speech.

Throughout the heated exchanges, both the treasury and opposition benches frequently referred to the Lok Sabha rulebook. Here’s a look at the rules they cited:

New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s first speech as Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha led to intense debates between the BJP-led NDA and opposition members on Monday. Not only Speaker Om Birla but also Union ministers Amit Shah and Bhupendra Yadav, along with MPs like BJP’s Nishikant Dubey, Congress’s Hibi Eden, and TMC’s Saugata Ray, cited various Lok Sabha rules to counter each other over Rahul’s accusations against the ruling party.

Rule 359 (xii): Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav cited this rule, which states that an MP should not sit or stand with their back towards the Chair. He alleged that Rahul, while speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, had his back to the Speaker and was facing the opposition benches.

Rule 352: Yadav also referred to Rule 352 (ii), which advises members to avoid making personal allegations, questioning motives, or challenging the integrity of other House members unless it is essential for the debate and directly relevant to the matter. Yadav claimed that Rahul accused the entire Hindu community of being violent. TMC MP Saugata Ray countered this by citing Rule 352 (vii), which prohibits MPs from using treasonable, seditious, or defamatory words. Ray argued that Rahul did not use derogatory remarks against Shiva but merely showed an image, thus not violating any rules.

Rule 356: When Rahul again displayed the image while accusing the BJP of attacking minorities, Yadav invoked Rule 356 (ii). This rule allows the Speaker to instruct a member to stop speaking if they persist in irrelevance or tedious repetition of their own or others’ arguments.

Rule 115: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused Rahul of making unsubstantiated allegations. They demanded that he authenticate his claims about the Agniveer scheme and MSP to farmers. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey cited Rule 115 (1) and (2) of Directions by the Speaker, which require a member to write to the Speaker detailing any inaccuracies in another member’s statement and seek permission to address the matter in the House. The member may also present evidence supporting their allegation. Shah and Chouhan reiterated the demand for Rahul to prove his allegations after he claimed that the BJP had called farmers “terrorists” and denied them MSP.

Rule 349: Congress MP Hibi Eden invoked Rule 349 (ii), which states that a member should not interrupt another member while speaking through disorderly expressions, noises, or any other disorderly manner. This was in response to Environment Minister Yadav interrupting Rahul to cite Rule 356.

(Edited by Gitanjali Das)

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