Tensions Escalate in Lok Sabha Over Quoting Unpublished Memoir

Speaker Om Birla rebuked Rahul Gandhi for seeking guidance on his parliamentary speech. Birla's remarks followed a controversy triggered by Gandhi's attempt to quote an unpublished memoir by a former Army chief regarding the 2020 India-China conflict. The Speaker emphasized adherence to House rules.

Tensions ran high in the Lok Sabha on Monday when Speaker Om Birla rebuked Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The altercation arose after Gandhi asked Birla for advice on his speech content during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address.

The controversy escalated when Gandhi sought to cite a memoir by former Army chief M M Naravane on the 2020 India-China conflict, which remains unpublished. This attempt drew strong objections from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, who opposed quoting the document in the House.

Reacting to Gandhi's request for guidance, Birla firmly stated, "I am not your advisor. As the Speaker, it is my responsibility to ensure that the House functions according to rules and convention." Birla further emphasized that no one was being stopped from speaking as long as they followed parliamentary procedures.

(With inputs from agencies.)