Amit Shah targets Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha: 'LoP in Germany, England when it's his turn to speak'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah calls motion to remove Speaker Om Birla "unfortunate" and defends neutrality of the chair during heated discussion in Lok Sabha.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during the debate on the motion seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. The Opposition accuses the Speaker of favouring the ruling party in parliamentary proceedings. Responding to the motion, Shah came down heavily on the move and defended the Speaker’s role, arguing that the position is above party politics and essential for maintaining the dignity of Parliament. During his address in the House, Shah said bringing such a motion reflects poorly on parliamentary traditions and undermines the credibility of the institution.
Top quotes from Amit Shah's Lok Sabha debate
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‘Speaker is not affiliated to any party’
Shah emphasised that the Speaker’s office represents the entire House and should not be viewed through a partisan lens. He said the Speaker functions as a neutral authority responsible for safeguarding the rights of all Members of Parliament.
“The Speaker does not belong to any party; the Speaker belongs to the entire House. The Speaker is the protector of the rights of all Parliamentarians," he said.
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Motion after four decades ‘unusual and regretful’
Highlighting the rarity of the situation, the Home Minister noted that a motion of this nature had not been brought in nearly four decades. According to him, reviving such a step in Parliament signals a troubling moment for parliamentary politics. Shah said the move itself is extraordinary and should not be treated as routine political disagreement.
“After nearly four decades, a no-confidence motion has been brought against the Speaker. This is not ordinary and is unfortunate for parliamentary politics," he said.
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‘Opposition once supported the Speaker’
The Home Minister also reminded the House that when Om Birla assumed the Speaker’s chair, members from both the treasury benches and the Opposition had accompanied him in a gesture of consensus. Questioning the current criticism, Shah said it was contradictory to now raise doubts over the Speaker’s conduct after that earlier show of support.
- ‘India’s parliamentary image at stake’
Shah warned that such disputes risk damaging the global reputation of India’s democratic institutions. He noted that India’s parliamentary system is widely respected worldwide and said the controversy could cast an unnecessary shadow on that reputation.
“When the Speaker was elected, members from both sides accompanied him to the Chair, but today his conduct is being questioned. India’s democracy is respected across the world, and such motions can tarnish that image," Shah added.
- 'Rahul Gandhi travels abroad during key sessions, then says he isn't allowed to speak'
Shah further targeted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, alleging that the Congress leader frequently travels abroad during crucial parliamentary sessions and later claims he is not allowed to speak in the House. Shah said Gandhi’s attendance record in Parliament has also been significantly below the national average, citing figures from the 15th, 16th and 17th Lok Sabhas. He further criticised Gandhi for seeking a debate on remarks made during a press conference, stating that Parliament is not a platform to discuss individual press briefings and defending Speaker Om Birla for refusing to allow such a discussion.
"...He suddenly had an idea - have a debate on his own press conference. This is not a market. This is the Lok Sabha...From your great grandfather to your grandmother to your father, there were tall leaders in India. Lok Sabha didn't have a debate on anyone's press conference. If he expects that his "great press conference", which was based on lies, will be debated in the House, then Om Birla did a favour to the House by not letting its standards fall. In 17th Lok Sabha, his attendance was 51%. National avergae was 66%. In 16th Lok Sabha, his attendance was 52%. National avergae was 80%. In 15th Lok Sabha, his attendance was 43%. National avergae was 76%," Shah said.
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'You wink, blow kisses'
Hitting further back at Gandhi Shah said the discussion in the House was meant to examine the conduct of the Speaker, not the behaviour of Rahul Gandhi.
“The no-confidence motion is to discuss the behaviour and conduct of the Speaker, not to discuss the behaviour and conduct of Rahul Gandhi. You wink, blow kisses,” Shah said.