In the Lok Sabha on Monday, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi engaged in a contentious exchange with Speaker Om Birla. Gandhi questioned Birla's deference towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their encounter.
Gandhi remarked, I observed something when you shook my hand. You stood upright. But when you greeted Modiji, you bowed down.
The Opposition cheered Gandhi's statement, while members of the ruling NDA objected. Home Minister Amit Shah interjected, deeming it an accusation against the Speaker.
Birla responded, The Honorable Prime Minister is the leader of the House. It is my cultural and ethical practice to bow down to elders and treat peers with respect.
My values demand that we show reverence to elders, even touching their feet if necessary, Birla emphasized.
Undeterred, Gandhi maintained, I respect your views, but I believe no individual within this House holds a higher position than the Speaker.
He asserted, The Speaker reigns supreme, and we all should show deference. As members of the House, we are subordinate to the Speaker.
Gandhi concluded, You are the Speaker and should not bow to anyone.
In the spirit of parliamentary decorum, the Speaker is the ultimate authority. As House members, we are subservient to the Speaker's authority.
