New Delhi, Oct. 22 -- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said any fresh motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be examined according to established procedures, as the Opposition continued its campaign against him over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Addressing a press conference ahead of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, scheduled for October 26 and 27, Birla also said democracy was embedded in India's living ethos and that the country remained committed to free speech, open debate and discussion. He called for an end to terrorism and said peace was essential for economic and social stability.
"We will follow the process when the motion is moved. Just as there is a procedure for the impeachment of judges, there is a process laid down for the CEC too," Birla said, adding that the prescribed procedure would be followed if the Opposition submitted a motion.
The Opposition has made two attempts to remove Kumar. Notices filed during the first attempt were rejected by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, while those submitted in the second attempt remain pending. Opposition parties have also met President Droupadi Murmu, seeking Kumar's removal and repeal of the 2023 law that provides immunity to the CEC and Election Commissioners. They have accused him of the "unilateral and arbitrary exercise of the collective powers" during the electoral roll revision.
Asked whether recent youth protests against Kumar in Delhi and elsewhere could be raised in Parliament, Birla said every MP had the right to raise any issue, but placards and sloganeering had no place in a democracy. He said the Business Advisory Committee decides which matters are taken up for discussion, adding that important issues were debated after consultations. Referring to youth protests in France and other countries, he said global events naturally affected every nation, including India.
Birla also declined to confirm whether the government planned to convene a special session of Parliament to consider the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and the Delimitation Bill, linked to the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures.
The Monsoon session was adjourned sine die on August 13 but Parliament has not yet been prorogued. Birla said Article 85 of the Constitution sets out the rules governing the summoning and proroguing of Parliament and noted that longer intervals between adjournment and prorogation had occurred in the past. The Constitution requires that no more than six months elapse between two sessions but sets no specific deadline for prorogation.
On international conflicts, Birla said war remained a concern and that the forum could discuss such issues if necessary. He also described terrorism as a major global challenge, saying India would strongly call for its elimination.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.