New Delhi, March 26: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Speaker Om Birla of running the House in an “undemocratic manner” and denying him the opportunity to speak.

He claimed that his repeated requests to address key issues like unemployment and the Maha Kumbh Mela in the House were ignored.

“I requested him (the Speaker) to let me speak, but he just ran away. This is no way to run the House,” Rahul Gandhi told reporters outside the House.

Gandhi stated that despite sitting quietly, he was consistently prevented from speaking, which he described as a tactic to muzzle the Opposition.

The Speaker, Om Birla, defended the proceedings, emphasising the importance of maintaining decorum in the House. He referenced Rule 349, which outlines the expected conduct of members, and urged Gandhi to adhere to these standards.

Birla also invoked Rule 372, which allows the Prime Minister or any minister to make statements without taking questions during a session, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Before he adjourned the House in the day, the Speaker said members are expected to maintain decorum on the floor. “Several instances have come to my notice in which the conduct of members is not up to the high standards of this House. This House has seen father-daughter, mother-daughter and husband-wife as members. In this context, I expect that the Leader of the Opposition behaves in the House in line with Rule 349,” the Speaker said.

Rule 349 lays down the rules of conduct for members to observe in the House.

A week earlier, the House witnessed an uproar during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address on Maha Kumbh. PM Modi highlighted the event’s cultural significance and its role in showcasing India’s capabilities, but Opposition members protested, raising concerns about the stampede deaths at the gathering. Amid the din, Speaker Om Birla invoked Rule 372. Speaking to the media later, Gandhi had said, “I wanted to support what the Prime Minister (Modi) said. Kumbh is our tradition, history and culture. Our only complaint is that the Prime Minister did not pay tribute to those who died in Kumbh.” Gandhi reiterated his dissatisfaction with the Speaker’s approach, stating that the Opposition was being systematically excluded from parliamentary discussions.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition, with Gandhi accusing the government of stifling democratic debate. The Speaker’s emphasis on decorum and rules, juxtaposed with Gandhi’s allegations of unfair treatment, highlights the challenges of maintaining balance and inclusivity in parliamentary proceedings.

New Delhi, March 26: Samajwadi Party (SP) MP, Zia ur Rehman Barq, has strongly denied the allegations that he delivered an inflammatory speech which led to violence at Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal during a court-ordered survey of the mosque last year in November.

Speaking on the notice issued to him, Barq clarified his position, asserting that the charges against him were completely baseless.

“You all already know very well, but I will still clarify. The incident that took place in Sambhal included my name under the charge of delivering an inflammatory speech, which is completely wrong. It is under this allegation that I have been issued a notice,” Barq said.

“Regarding the notice that has been given to me, I have said this before as well, I am a citizen of this country, I am a Member of Parliament, I trust the law and order of the nation, I respect the Constitution, and I have full faith in the judiciary.

“I will cooperate fully in the investigation. I have been called on April 8, and I will appear then. I will cooperate fully with the probe and provide all the help that is required to the authorities,” he added.

Referring to the initial complaint where his name was allegedly mentioned incorrectly, Barq said, “When the case was first filed and my name was wrongfully included, we met with the Speaker of the House, under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav, to address the injustice we faced.

“We asserted that we should get justice. Now that I have been issued a notice, we will consult, and if necessary, we will take further action. But I will fully cooperate with the investigation, as per the directions of the High Court.”

On March 25, the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team served Barq a notice at his Delhi residence for his alleged involvement in the violence that broke out at Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid during a court-ordered survey of the mosque on November 24, 2024.

Patna, March 26: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Wednesday launched a nationwide protest against the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, from Gardanibagh Dharna Sthal in Patna.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav joined the protest.

Muslim organisations and community leaders have also appealed to all political parties in Bihar to oppose the bill.

With Lalu and his party members actively participating, the movement has gained significant momentum.

AIMPLB spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas accused the central government of pushing the bill with “communal intentions.”

“This bill is an attempt to seize Waqf properties. It is designed to mislead and capture the assets of the minority community. AIMPLB is not playing politics; we are standing for the rights of the community,” he said.

The spokesperson urged political leaders advocating secularism to take a firm stance against the bill.

The protest coincided with a chaotic day in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, where opposition parties raised slogans and demanded a resolution opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill.

CPI-ML MLA Mehboob Alam strongly criticised the central government, alleging it is trying to “snatch the rights” of Waqf properties.

“We want the Bihar government to pass a resolution unanimously against the bill during this Budget session and convey it to the Centre. If they fail to do so, we will continue our protest and not let the House proceedings run smoothly,” Alam stated.

All eyes are now on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has maintained a secular image despite his alliances. The minority community is expecting him to join the movement or at least issue a statement opposing the bill.

Political analysts believe CM Nitish’s stance on this issue could significantly impact the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, where minority votes could prove crucial.

Lalu, a vocal opponent of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, reiterated his support for the minority community.

He was joined by maulanas and ulemas from across the country who gathered at the protest site to voice their opposition.

The opposition has also accused the ruling party of “diverting” attention from critical state issues by bringing the “controversial” bill to the forefront.

As the Budget session of the Bihar Assembly is underway, protests inside and outside the House are expected to intensify.

The minority community and opposition leaders have vowed to sustain the movement until the central government reconsiders the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.