Unprecedented: Lok Sabha Speaker Asks PM to Skip the House

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said he had advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to attend the House , claiming he had “ concrete information ” that some Congress MPs could attempt an unexpected act near the Prime Minister’s seat. The Speaker said the step was taken to maintain decorum and prevent a situation that could have undermined parliamentary tradition.

The statement came a day after dramatic scenes in the Lok Sabha, when women opposition MPs marched into the Well of the House holding banners during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address , forcing repeated adjournments. The opposition was protesting the denial of an opportunity to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to speak , insisting that his intervention was essential before the Prime Minister replied to the debate.

While the Speaker framed his action as a precautionary measure, parliamentary observers note that if such information existed, the Speaker had established procedural options available — including strengthening security , restricting access to the Well , naming disruptive members , or ordering an inquiry . No such steps were announced, nor were details shared on the source or assessment of the information cited.

There is no provision in the Constitution or the Rules of Procedure that empowers the Speaker to ask any member, including the Prime Minister, to skip a sitting of the House . Traditionally, Speakers have relied on disciplinary powers or adjournments to manage disorder, even during periods of intense protest.

Opposition leaders have rejected the claim that any untoward act was planned, calling the Speaker’s assertion misleading , and argued that the focus should have remained on ensuring the House functioned and debate proceeded as scheduled.

The House was later adjourned amid continuing protests.