Bengaluru, Sept. 12 -- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday expressed concern over "declining" dignity in legislative body debates and emphasised that it is a "collective responsibility" of both political parties and public representatives to create a platform for "real discussion and dialogue" in the legislature.

Addressing the 11th India Zone Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Bengaluru, Birla reminded that the legislature is "the only place to debate, to dissent and express differences in ideologies". "When the question of national interest comes up, we rise above differences and take collective decisions. Today it is our responsibility to strengthen the trust of the public," the speaker said.

"Dialogue has...