Rijiju sets March 9 debate on no-confidence against Om Birla; Nehru’s 1954 message resurfaces
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 15, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
India’s political landscape took a significant turn as Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that the Lok Sabha will hold a debate and vote on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla on March 9. The motion, signed by 118 MPs from the opposition, accuses Birla of partisan conduct and alleges that opposition leaders were denied speaking opportunities during critical debates. This marks the latest in a series of such motions targeting Speakers, with historical precedence dating back to 1954.
The current move follows similar attempts to challenge Speakers’ authority, including a motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in 2024. The article highlights that at least three instances since Independence have seen no-confidence motions filed against Speakers, underscoring the rarity and significance of such actions. Notably, the first such motion in 1954 targeted GV Mavalankar, with opposition MPs accusing him of bias.
Interestingly, the situation harks back to a pivotal moment in Indian parliamentary history when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the House during a similar debate in 1954. Nehru urged MPs to consider the matter independently, free from party affiliations, emphasizing that the dignity of the House and its Speaker was at stake. His speech underscored the importance of impartiality in parliamentary proceedings.
This latest development highlights the ongoing tensions between political factions and their differing views on parliamentary decorum. The article serves as a reminder of how deeply rooted political dynamics can influence the functioning of democratic institutions, offering readers insight into the historical precedents that shape contemporary debates. For those interested in global politics, this story sheds light on the internal workings of India’s legislative body and the enduring challenges of maintaining impartiality in high-stakes political environments.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/15/2026