Om Birla urges govt, Oppn to let House function

On Tuesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed distress over the repeated disruptions of proceedings in the House. During a statement amidst noisy opposition protests, Birla urged the government and opposition parties to find common ground to allow the House to discuss crucial Bills that could bring significant changes to the nation.

The government, according to Birla, has agreed to the opposition's demand for a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the police action in Jharkhand against students protesting against the NEET paper leak on July 20. However, Birla emphasized that other issues raised by the opposition could also be discussed, provided the House functions without disruptions.

Birla expressed his anguish over the House's failure to function, calling for constructive discussions between the government's and opposition benches. He also criticized opposition members for displaying placards inside the House, which he deemed against parliamentary norms.

Since the Monsoon Session commenced on July 20, the Lok Sabha has been unable to complete the Question Hour, and several Bills were passed without debate amidst loud protests. Birla highlighted the importance of the Question Hour, as it enables members to hold the government accountable and ensures transparency in the executive's functioning.

The Speaker further stated that he has issued directions limiting the questions asked during the Question Hour to those listed beforehand. He reiterated that the House should engage in discussions and address the concerns of the people, as they desire to see debates in Parliament.

Birla's plea to the opposition came a day after the government had warned against the opposition avoiding debate and listening to the Home Minister without disruptions. However, the opposition has maintained that the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya should also be addressed. As the stalemate persists, Birla adjourned the proceedings until 2 pm on Tuesday.

Separately, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members held a protest outside Parliament's main entrance against the police action in Jharkhand. They also questioned the silence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the police action targeting students in Jantar Mantar and accused him of changing his stance when the government agreed to a response from Home Minister Shah on the police action against protesting students in New Delhi.