A week after the Lok Sabha rejected a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla praising his conduct during the heated proceedings. At the same time, Birla separately addressed political leaders across parties, urging them to ensure discipline among members and calling for reflection on recent behaviour inside Parliament.
The exchange of letters comes at a time when concerns have grown about repeated disruptions in the Lok Sabha, including instances of members displaying placards and banners inside the chamber and within the Parliament complex.
In his letter, Prime Minister Modi commended Speaker Om Birla for what he described as the patience, restraint and impartiality shown during the debate and voting on the no-confidence motion brought against him in the Lok Sabha the previous week. The Prime Minister noted that the manner in which the proceedings were conducted reflected the strength of parliamentary democracy.
Modi also remarked that the events in the House had contributed to the emergence of what he described as a new political culture within Parliament. He emphasised that democratic institutions must be protected and strengthened through responsible conduct and respect for established traditions.
The Prime Minister further expressed concern about what he termed a “dynastic and feudal mindset” among certain individuals in politics. According to him, such thinking attempts to confine democratic institutions within narrow interests and resists the rise of new leadership emerging through democratic processes.
Highlighting the role of Parliament in India’s democratic framework, Modi wrote that the institution remains a central forum for dialogue, reasoned debate and deliberation. He stressed that Parliament represents the voices of people from every region of the country and should continue to serve as a space where diverse perspectives are expressed and discussed.
In his response, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla thanked the Prime Minister for his message and expressed appreciation for the support conveyed in the letter. Birla said that Modi has consistently demonstrated strong faith in the rules, procedures and traditions that guide India’s parliamentary system.
The Speaker also stated that the Prime Minister’s remarks reflected the values of public service that he has maintained throughout his political career, both during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat and later as Prime Minister.
Soon after responding to the Prime Minister, Birla wrote separate letters to leaders of all political parties represented in the Lok Sabha, raising concerns about the behaviour of members within the House and across the Parliament complex.
In his communication, the Speaker noted that in recent times the dignity and prestige of India’s parliamentary democracy had been affected by certain actions of members. He referred specifically to the display of banners, placards and posters within the chamber, as well as the language used and the overall conduct displayed by some legislators.
Birla described these developments as matters of serious concern and urged political leaders to reflect carefully on the situation. He reminded them that Parliament has traditionally been known for maintaining a culture of dignified debate and constructive dialogue.
The Speaker also referred to earlier discussions held in the past when declining standards of behaviour in legislatures became a subject of concern. Such issues had previously been discussed among political parties and at conferences involving presiding officers of legislative bodies across the country.
Birla pointed out that he had repeatedly raised the issue of parliamentary conduct during meetings of the Business Advisory Committee and in his interactions with leaders of different parties. During those discussions, he had urged political representatives to help maintain decorum and uphold the traditions associated with Parliament.
In his letter, the Speaker emphasised that the conduct of members inside Parliament is closely observed by citizens across the country. He noted that the behaviour displayed within the House sends a broader message about democratic values and influences the functioning of other democratic institutions.
Calling for collective responsibility, Birla urged political leaders to ensure that their party members adhere to rules and maintain discipline both inside the chamber and within the Parliament complex.
He concluded by expressing hope that if all political parties work together to improve standards of conduct, public confidence in parliamentary democracy will continue to strengthen and the dignity and prestige of the House will be preserved.
