Kiren Rijiju defends Speaker Om Birla, accuses Congress of targeting parliamentary institutions

New Delhi: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday defended Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during a debate on the Opposition’s motion and accused Congress of targeting constitutional institutions after losing power in 2014.

Participating in the discussion on the resolution seeking Birla’s removal, Rijiju said the speaker had remained impartial and provided the Opposition ample opportunities to raise issues and question the government. Targeting Congress, he said the attempt to unseat the Speaker amounted to an attack on parliamentary democracy.

In his intervention, the minister invoked former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi, stressing that the Speaker’s decisions are final and must be respected by all members. Rijiju claimed several Opposition MPs had privately expressed discomfort with the motion but were compelled to support it due to political pressure.

He accused leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of showing “immaturity” in Parliament by frequently skipping proceedings, travelling abroad during sessions and leaving the House after making his speech. He even remarked that Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could be a better leader of Opposition.

Rijiju also said every member – including the PM – requires the Speaker’s permission to speak in the House, as the office is the custodian of parliamentary proceedings. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s assertion that he had a right to speak, Rijiju said: “If someone believes he is above the Speaker, there is no remedy.” Without naming Gandhi directly, he also recalled incidents such as hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the House and winking at party colleagues during a debate, calling them signs of immaturity.

Rijiju cited parliamentary data to reject allegations of bias against the Speaker and also highlighted reforms under Birla’s tenure.