Mass suspensions, mics switched off: Opposition talking points in debate on resolution to remove Speaker

Arguing for the ouster of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Opposition MPs on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) had a list of complaints, including mass suspensions, the microphone being switched off while they spoke, and the failure to appoint the constitutional position of Deputy Speaker for the past 12 years.

Senior Congress MP Manish Tewari argued that the reason for the Opposition’s insistence on moving the resolution seeking the Speaker’s removal can be summed up in one phrase: the government must have its way but the Opposition must have its say.

Parliament Budget session updates on March 10, 2026

‘Rahul quoted from magazine’

Addressing the issue of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to speak about the content of the yet-to-be-released memoir of former Army Chief General (Retd) M. M. Narawane, Mr. Tewari said that Mr. Gandhi had been quoting from a magazine. “That magazine that [Mr. Gandhi] was quoting is a published magazine, it is available in the public space even now. And the contents of the magazine or that story has not been controverted by the government till now,” Mr. Tewari said.

He dismissed the charge that women Opposition MPs had planned something undignified by way of protest was “completely over the top and a stretch”.

Mr. Tewari also referred to disruptions by BJP members and the washout of an entire session when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was in power, pointing out that the UPA government had never moved any resolution to suspend any Opposition member.

Largest mass suspension

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said it was ironic and “divine karma” that she is opening the debate from her party against the Speaker who had denied her the opportunity to defend herself during her expulsion from the 17^th Lok Sabha.

Participating in the debate, Ms. Moitra said the current speaker has set “less than graceful benchmarks” while presiding over the House. Since 2004, a total of 245 MPs, all from Opposition parties, have been suspended. Nearly half of them, 120 MPs, were suspended during Mr. Birla’s tenure.

“In December 2023, Birla ji ordered the largest mass suspension in the history of Indian Parliament, suspending 100 Opposition MPs. This one episode alone accounted for over 40% of all Lok Sabha suspensions since 2004,” Ms. Moitra claimed.

‘Gentleman under pressure’

Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai questioned the Chair over the control of the microphones, claiming that the microphones never go off when his party’s members attack former Prime Ministers of the Congress regime, but get cut off within 30 seconds when Opposition members question the government.

DMK leader T.R. Baalu said Mr. Birla was a gentleman under pressure. “He is such a gentleman, but I don’t know what went wrong with him. He has suspended so many MPs in the last seven years. But why does he have to take such harsh steps?” Mr. Baalu said.

JD(U) leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said the no-confidence motion was nothing but an attempt to keep the Speaker under pressure.

“To maintain the decorum and dignity of the House, the Speaker has to control unruly members. This is nothing wrong,” he said.