New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed concern over the gradual decline in the dignity of legislative institutions, stressing that freedom of speech and privileges of members should never be misconstrued as the freedom to lower the dignity of the House. He made these remarks while delivering the Valedictory Address at the Conference of Presiding Officers of States and Union Territories, held at the Delhi Vidhan Sabha to mark the centenary year of Shri Vitthalbhai Patel's election as the first Indian President of the Central Legislative Assembly.

Birla urged legislators to renew their commitment to ensuring free, fair, and dignified discussions in legislative bodies. He underlined that political parties must come toget...