Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday intensified his criticism of Speaker Om Birla, claiming once again that he is being denied the right to speak in Parliament.
“Won’t be allowed to speak… I don’t know what they are scared of,” Rahul said, continuing his sharp remarks a day after accusing the Speaker of blocking him from raising issues like unemployment and the recent Kumbh Mela.
On Wednesday, Rahul had alleged that despite his request, he was not permitted to make a statement in the House.
“The Prime Minister spoke about the Maha Kumbh, and I wanted to say it was well-organised too. I also wanted to raise the issue of unemployment. But I wasn’t allowed to speak,” Gandhi said.
He further added,
“I don’t understand the Speaker’s thinking. I asked him politely to allow me to speak, but he walked off. This is not how the House should be run. The Leader of Opposition is traditionally given time to speak, but whenever I stand up, I’m stopped. There is no democracy here—only the government has a voice.”
Speaker’s Response: Follow House Rules
Speaker Om Birla, in response, defended his stance and asked the Congress leader to respect parliamentary rules.
“You are expected to uphold the high standards of the House,” Birla said. “There have been several instances where conduct has fallen short. As Leader of Opposition, you must set an example by following the rules.”
This isn’t the first time Gandhi has accused the ruling BJP of curbing opposition voices in Parliament. His repeated assertions have sparked a broader debate over free speech and dissent in the House.
