A heated political exchange unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as senior Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a debate on a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla.
Prasad accused the Opposition of bringing the motion not out of genuine concern for parliamentary functioning but to serve political interests. He suggested that the move was meant to satisfy “someone’s ego,” a remark widely seen as a direct dig at Rahul Gandhi.
The BJP leader strongly defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi against allegations raised earlier by Rahul Gandhi. Prasad dismissed the claims of any compromises by the Prime Minister and said such statements were completely baseless.
He said that the office of the Prime Minister represents the dignity of the nation and cannot be questioned without evidence. According to him, the Opposition should act responsibly and avoid turning parliamentary procedures into tools for personal or political battles.
Prasad also warned against misusing institutional mechanisms of Parliament. He said that instruments available to the Opposition are meant to strengthen democracy and hold the government accountable, not to become weapons used to settle personal rivalries or political frustrations.
During his speech, Prasad recalled several controversial moments from past parliamentary sessions to argue that the current situation was being exaggerated. He mentioned an incident where several MPs were expelled after being caught accepting money to ask questions in Parliament. He also referred to another dramatic episode when black pepper was thrown inside the House during protests. Despite such serious incidents, he said, there had not been the kind of intense confrontation currently being witnessed.
Earlier in the debate, Rahul Gandhi had raised strong objections about what he described as restrictions on Opposition voices inside the Lok Sabha. He claimed that he was repeatedly stopped from speaking during previous sessions when he tried to raise important questions concerning the Prime Minister.
Rahul Gandhi said that during his last speech he attempted to discuss sensitive issues involving former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane and financier Jeffrey Epstein, but was interrupted and not allowed to complete his remarks.
He argued that it was unprecedented for a Leader of the Opposition to be prevented from speaking in Parliament. According to him, such actions weaken the democratic process and undermine the functioning of the House.
The Congress leader also criticised the functioning of the Speaker’s office, saying it appeared to be limiting the role of the Opposition. He insisted that Parliament is not the property of any single party but represents the collective voice of the people of India.
Rahul Gandhi further said that the ongoing discussion was not about individuals but about protecting democratic traditions. He noted that several statements had been made about him during the debate and stressed that the House must remain a platform where diverse political voices can be heard.
The clash between the BJP and the Congress during the debate highlighted the growing tensions inside Parliament, with both sides accusing each other of undermining democratic norms and parliamentary dignity.
