Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, spoke against the Modi government during his first speech of the session. However, parts of his speech were expunged from the records. This drew parallel to similar incidents in the past, where his and other Opposition leaders' remarks were removed. This has sparked a debate on the freedom of speech in Parliament and the role of the Speaker in controlling proceedings.
Kharge, Gandhi's Speeches Expunged: A Question of Freedom of Speech in Parliament
During their recent speeches in Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi faced the expungement of portions of their remarks from parliamentary records. This incident sparked a debate about the freedom of speech in Parliament and the role of the Speaker in controlling proceedings.
Background
The expungement of parliamentary speeches is a long-standing practice aimed at maintaining decorum and preventing the dissemination of offensive or misleading information. However, in recent years, there have been concerns about the increasing use of this power to suppress critical voices and limit the scope of debate.
Kharge's Speech
On February 10th, 2023, Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a speech in Lok Sabha alleging that the Modi government had weakened the judicial system and was interfering in its functioning. The Speaker, Om Birla, expunged several portions of his speech, including references to the appointment of judges and the role of the Chief Justice of India.
Gandhi's Speech
On February 9th, 2023, Rahul Gandhi made a speech criticizing the Modi government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Adani-Hindenburg controversy. The Speaker expunged numerous portions of his speech, including allegations of corruption and a reference to the Prime Minister as "Mr. Modi."
Debate on Freedom of Speech
The expungement of Kharge and Gandhi's speeches has sparked a heated debate on the limits of free speech in Parliament. Opposition leaders and media commentators have accused the Speaker of suppressing dissent and undermining the legislature's accountability function. Supporters of the expungement, however, argue that it is necessary to prevent personal attacks and protect the reputation of individuals and institutions.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of expunging parliamentary speeches? Expungement removes portions of a speech from official records to maintain decorum and prevent the dissemination of offensive or misleading information.
2. Who has the authority to expunge speeches? The Speaker of the House has the authority to expunge speeches.
3. What criteria are used to decide whether a speech should be expunged? The criteria include offensive language, personal attacks, unsubstantiated allegations, and statements that breach parliamentary norms.
4. Have there been similar incidents of expungement in the past? Yes, there have been several instances in the past where speeches by Opposition leaders have been expunged from parliamentary records.
5. What are the concerns raised by the recent expungements? Critics argue that the increasing use of expungement is suppressing critical voices and limiting the scope of debate in Parliament.
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