Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped his scheduled address in the Lok Sabha on February 4 amid reports of planned disruptions by opposition women MPs. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed receiving intelligence about potential unrest and advised the Prime Minister against entering the House to avoid any untoward incidents.
Speaker’s Precautionary Measures
On Thursday, Speaker Birla revealed that he had urged PM Modi to stay away after learning that some Congress MPs intended to approach the Prime Minister’s seat and engage in unprecedented actions. This decision aimed to maintain order in the chamber.
Opposition’s Counterclaim
Congress women MPs countered that their protests adhered strictly to parliamentary norms and remained peaceful. They accused authorities of undue targeting and announced plans to introduce a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla. The party also challenged the validity of BJP’s claims regarding the incident.
Rijiju Shares Video Evidence
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju released a video capturing opposition women MPs encircling the Prime Minister’s seat in the Lok Sabha. In a statement on social media, Rijiju remarked, “Congress Party is proud of the most degrading behaviour by their MPs!! If we had not stopped all the BJP MPs and allowed the Women MPs to confront Cong. MPs, it would have led to a very ugly scene. We have very high consideration to protect the dignity & sanctity of the Parliament.”
BJP MP Demands Action
BJP MP Malvika Devi, who signed a letter seeking measures against the opposition MPs, condemned the events of February 4. She described how opposition women MPs climbed tables, threw papers at the Speaker, and then surrounded the Prime Minister’s chair. “This is a very condemnable thing, and we would like to thank the Speaker, Om Birla, who handled this matter and requested the Prime Minister not to come that day because anything could have happened,” Devi stated. She called for strict action to safeguard democracy and prevent future disruptions.
Ongoing Tensions
Rijiju supported a formal complaint lodged by BJP women MPs with Speaker Birla, alleging that Congress members violated parliamentary boundaries by crossing to the Treasury benches and nearly besieging the Prime Minister’s area. “The Congress MPs crossed over to the Treasury side. They crossed the bench where the Prime Minister sits, and they went beyond towards the Treasury side, and they almost laid the siege of the entire area,” Rijiju told reporters.
