Lok Sabha: There should be no disruptions in Lok Sabha, state assemblies: Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla | India News

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla on Sunday likened Lok Sabha and state legislatures as temples of democracy and said there should be no disruptions of proceedings.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new assembly building of Assam in Guwahati, Birla said the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies are temples of democracy and there should be dialogue on all important issues.
He further said, “But there should be no disruption in the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies. The people have big expectations from the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies.”

The speaker’s remarks hold significance in view of the fact that the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha have witnessed unruly scenes and disruptions caused by opposition members demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make opening statements followed by discussions in both the Houses of Parliament over the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur.
The monsoon session of Parliament, which commenced on July 20, has so far had seven sittings. But both the Houses have witnessed multiple and forced adjournments due to the ruckus created by the opposition MPs.
The Lok Sabha is witnessing pandemonium also over the opposition’s demand to start immediate debate on the no-confidence motion moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and supported by them on July 26. The government should not legislate any bills till the no-confidence motion has been disposed of, they said.
The Lok Sabha has passed six bills till now after the speaker admitted the no-confidence motion.

Meanwhile, in Guwahati, Birla expressed pain at the manner in which dissent is being manifested by disrupting the proceedings of the Lok Sabha, sloganeering, use of inappropriate display of placards in the House and the likes instead of thorough dialogue and discussions.
He expressed concern that coordinated and designed disruptions are lowering the dignity of the House and urged the legislators not to treat legislatures as physical buildings but as sacred places of debates and discussions where the problems of the people are solved and the spirit of democracy is strengthened. He suggested that all members, irrespective of their political affiliations, should try to preserve the dignity and decorum of legislative bodies.
Reminding that the discussions held in legislatures have a profound impact on the general populace, the speaker appealed to the law-makers to use the legislative forum for fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of people. People’s representatives should use these fora for constructive debates, he said.
He observed that our legislatures should become vibrant centers of discussion so that governance is accountable and transparent. He counselled that it is the responsibility of the members of all parties, ruling and the opposition to run the House with dignity.
Speaking on the role of public representatives in upholding and strengthening democracy, Birla emphasised that they are custodians of the faith of people.
Dedicating the new assembly building to the people of Assam, Birla said it stood as an embodiment of the aspirations of the people and for the welfare of the people. He lauded the fact that the diversity of the Northeast has been accommodated in the new building and believed that the new Vidhan Sabha building would take Assam’s resolve for development towards fulfillment and witness the rise of a self-reliant Assam.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union shipping minister, and former state CM Sarbananda Sonowal and state assembly speaker Biswajit Daimaryalso addressed the gathering on the occasion.
Sarma, in his speech, said the healthy conduct of all legislators in the Vidhan Sabha will inspire the people of Assam. “I’m confident all my colleagues will work towards furthering the spirit of democracy. May it continue to serve as a beacon for positive change and development in Assam.”
The Assam CM also said, “Gandhi ji once said ‘To me, cow means the entire sub-human world.’ I am happy that we could pass the important bill of prohibiting cow slaughter from this prestigious Vidhan Sabha, furthering Gandhi ji’s dreams.”
Sarma noted that located in the heart of Guwahati, the Vidhan Sabha reflects the cultural legacy of Assam. Laced with a glass ceiling, wood, a Shikhar at the top, Vrindavani Vastra and other such materials, it stands out as a landmark of democracy, he added.