Delhi’s corridors of power shaken by Gaurav Gogoi’s powerful speech delivered with the pride of Assam Gamosa around his neck

▪️ Delhi’s corridors of power shaken by Gaurav Gogoi’s powerful speech delivered with the pride of Assam Gamosa around his neck
▪️ Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gaurav Gogoi moves no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

New Delhi, March 10: Alleging that the manner in which Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has been conducting the House is undemocratic, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi today moved a no-confidence motion against the Speaker in the Lok Sabha.

On February 2, when Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi rose in the Lok Sabha to speak during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, he was repeatedly interrupted by Speaker Om Birla, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Union Defence Minister. According to Gogoi, the Speaker alone interrupted the Leader of the Opposition at least 20 times while he was speaking. As per parliamentary convention, such conduct is undemocratic and contrary to established traditions, and poses a serious challenge to the dignity of the Constitution and the protection of constitutional values.

With compelling arguments and sharp observations, MP Gaurav Gogoi delivered an impressive and forceful speech in the House today. Significantly, many of the issues that the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to raise on February 2 were skillfully presented by Gogoi during his address. Even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju repeatedly attempted to interrupt him, Gogoi responded with patience, courage and eloquence, countering the ruling party leaders as well as Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the Chair. For nearly 45 minutes, Gogoi displayed his distinctive oratory and parliamentary command.

Beginning his speech by referring to observations made by the Supreme Court regarding the role of the Speaker, Gogoi stated that the court had emphasized that the Speaker must remain impartial. Referring to Article 96 of the Constitution, he said that the present discussion has arisen under this provision. Even when a motion for removal of the Speaker is brought, the Speaker must remain present and cannot pressurise members to withdraw the motion.

Gogoi said, “The Speaker appoints a panel of presiding officers. But who decided who would sit on the Chair today? Who took that decision? We have moved a motion seeking the removal of the Speaker. In that case, who decided that Jagdambika Pal would preside over today’s proceedings? There has been no such precedent in the House before.”

He further stated that the Leader of the Opposition repeatedly has to request that he be allowed to speak in the House. According to Gogoi, the political environment of the country has deteriorated. “The Prime Minister speaks in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, but he does not listen to others,” he remarked.

Referring to the conflict in the Middle East, Gogoi attacked the BJP and the government, saying that war is raging in India’s neighbourhood. He said that the United States had recently indicated that India could continue purchasing oil from Russia for a limited period of thirty days during the conflict. “This is a matter of national embarrassment. Where has our dignity gone?” he asked.

He further questioned, “Where has the claim of being a ‘Vishwaguru’ gone today? What has happened to our foreign policy? Today a foreign country is telling us when we may purchase oil.”

Gogoi also pointed out that the situation in Parliament has deteriorated to the point where even women Members of Parliament are being targeted. Referring to remarks made earlier, he said that Speaker Om Birla had suggested that women MPs could create an uncomfortable situation for the Prime Minister, and therefore the Prime Minister did not attend the House to deliver his reply. Gogoi contrasted this with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who continued to remain in the House despite protests from the opposition during his tenure.

Repeatedly referring to the events of February 2, Gogoi questioned how the decision had been taken regarding who would preside over the Chair when a motion for removal of the Speaker was under discussion. If the Speaker himself had nominated someone from the panel to preside, Gogoi argued, it would amount to a violation of constitutional principles and misuse of authority.

He also recounted the history of no-confidence motions against Speakers, noting that such motions had been brought in 1954, 1966 and 1987. On those occasions, he said, the Deputy Speaker had presided over the House during the debate. Yet today, despite more than 200 Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha, the post of Deputy Speaker remains vacant.

Commenting on the functioning of the House, Gogoi said the people of India must know how Parliament is being run. “Today the microphone in the House is being used like a weapon. It is used to favour the ruling side. Opposition members, particularly the Leader of the Opposition, are not allowed to use it,” he said, adding that this was not merely an allegation but one of the reasons the motion had been brought.

He emphasized that both the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition must be given equal opportunity to speak in Parliament. Instead, microphones are frequently switched off, preventing opposition voices from being heard. “The country must know how parliamentary rules and dignity are being undermined,” Gogoi said.

Clarifying the intent of the motion, Gogoi said it was not directed against any individual personally. “We are saddened to bring this motion. We do not derive any pleasure from it. We have cordial personal relations with Speaker Om Birla. But we are compelled to act because our duty is to uphold the dignity of Parliament.”

“Our only duty is to protect the dignity of Parliament,” he said, stressing that every member of the House carries the responsibility to safeguard the institution and its rules. The motion, he said, is aimed at protecting the Constitution and preserving the faith of the people of India in democracy.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s description of Parliament as the “grand temple of democracy”, Gogoi said the doors of this temple must remain open to representatives of all ideologies, small states, independent MPs, senior and junior members, and people of every language and community.

He reminded the House that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had envisaged strong constitutional safeguards and neutrality for the office of the Speaker. The framers of the Constitution had made it clear that the Speaker is not the voice of the government but the guardian of the entire House.

Recalling the legacy of past Speakers such as G.V. Mavalankar and Somnath Chatterjee, Gogoi said they had set historic standards of impartiality and parliamentary dignity.

He also highlighted that Rahul Gandhi was interrupted at least twenty times while speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. Not only the Speaker but also the Home Minister, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and the Defence Minister had repeatedly intervened, he said, asking why such interruptions had been orchestrated.

According to Gogoi, the Leader of the Opposition had simply sought to question why, at a time when the Indian Army required clear direction from the country’s leadership, it had been told to “do whatever you deem appropriate.” When such serious issues arise, Gogoi argued, Parliament must allow detailed debate.

He further said that at a time when tensions were escalating along India’s borders, the Army required decisive leadership from the Defence Minister and the political leadership, yet such responsiveness was lacking.

“We are a country where political leaders provide leadership. This is not Pakistan where the army leads politics,” Gogoi said, emphasizing that the Indian Army functions under political authority and looks to civilian leadership for direction.

He alleged that when tanks were approaching from across the border, the Indian Army sought guidance from the political leadership about the appropriate response, but was told to take whatever action it considered appropriate.

Criticising the present leadership, Gogoi said the current situation in Parliament reflects weak and hesitant political leadership.

During the speech, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Union Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly attempted to interrupt him, but Gogoi responded by saying that parliamentary records would show that the minister who has interrupted the Opposition the most in recent times is Kiren Rijiju.

Gogoi also referred to an ongoing investigation by the United States Department of Justice, stating that the inquiry reportedly mentions the name of an Indian industrialist and a Union minister. He noted that when Rahul Gandhi attempted to raise this issue earlier in the House, he had been prevented from doing so.

While Gogoi was referring to the Epstein files, Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the Chair, attempted to intervene. Gogoi responded that the House must know what issues the Leader of the Opposition had been prevented from raising.

With the Assamese pride symbolised by the traditional Gamosa on his shoulder, Gaurav Gogoi today placed before Parliament a powerful defence of democratic traditions and parliamentary dignity. Through a clear, reasoned and assertive speech, he argued that parliamentary rules were being manipulated to silence the voice of the Opposition.

He reminded the House that this struggle is not against any individual but for the protection of the Constitution and the independence of Parliament. Through his speech, Gogoi reaffirmed that no pressure from those in power can silence the determined voice of the Opposition raised in defence of the people’s rights.