Proceedings in Parliament were disrupted on Thursaday, after allegations emerged that some Congress MPs were planning an unprecedented act against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside the Lok Sabha. The claims raised serious security concerns and led to the cancellation of the Prime Minister’s scheduled reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he adjourned the House after receiving information that certain Opposition members could attempt “something unexpected.” Emphasising the dignity of Parliament, he said the move was necessary to prevent any untoward incident in what he described as the “temple of democracy.”
The Congress rejected the allegations, accusing the ruling BJP of manufacturing the charge to protect the Prime Minister from facing tough questions in Parliament. The party claimed the cancellation reflected fear rather than security concerns.
The standoff follows rising tensions after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was prevented from quoting an unpublished memoir by former Army chief General MM Naravane (retired). Gandhi has said the memoir highlights how political leadership failed to adequately support the armed forces during the 2020 border crisis with China.
As the House approached 5 pm, members awaited the Prime Minister’s speech. Instead, protests intensified. Around eight or nine women MPs from the Opposition moved towards the Prime Minister’s seat, holding placards reading “Do what is right.” Ministers later intervened, and the protest ended.
Addressing the House, Speaker Birla called the episode deeply disturbing and contrary to parliamentary traditions.
"When the Leader of the House (Modi) had to reply to the Honourable President's address, I received solid information that several members of the Congress party could reach the seat of the Hon'ble Prime Minister and do something unexpected. I even saw this scene in the House," Birla said.
He added that the decision to act swiftly was taken to avoid a serious breakdown of order. "If an incident had happened, it would have been a very unpleasant scene that would have torn apart the democratic traditions of the country. To avoid this, I requested the Prime Minister to skip coming to the House," he said.
DMK spokesperson A Saravanan supported the Congress, calling the allegations implausible, "I think the BJP ecosystem and the prime minister are rattled by the kind of coverage that Mr Rahul Gandhi's statements have received," he said.
"This is how the Naxals used to behave. Under the garb of democracy, they used to practice every anti-democratic act. If Congress MPs thought about this, then this is dangerous," BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said.
However, The Prime Minister is now scheduled to address the Rajya Sabha later this evening.
