India, March 10 -- Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday opened the debate on the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, saying it is not to target him or the Chair but to preserve Parliament's dignity.

Gogoi said microphones in the Parliament have been weaponised as they are often switched off to ensure that the voices of the Opposition leaders are not heard. He added that Birla interrupted the leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi's speech, when he spoke on important issues such as the India-US trade deal.

"In February, when the LoP spoke on the motion of thanks to the President's address, he was stopped at least 20 times. The Speaker, the Chair, the parliamentary affairs, defence, the home minister, and othe...