NEW DELHI — In a major step toward restoring order and bipartisan dialogue, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is set to facilitate the revocation of the suspension of eight opposition MPs today, March 17, 2026. The decision follows a consensus reached during a high-level meeting between the ruling and opposition sides.
Details of the Revocation
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The Motion: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to move a formal motion at noon today to lift the suspensions.
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The MPs Involved: The group includes seven Congress members (Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, C Kiran Kumar Reddy, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Padole, Dean Kuriakose) and one CPI(M) member (S Venkatesan).
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The Background: These members were suspended on February 3 during the first leg of the Budget Session for “unruly behavior,” which included climbing on officials’ tables and disrupting proceedings.
The “Code of Conduct” Agreement
To facilitate this move, both the Treasury and Opposition benches have reportedly agreed to a set of behavioral guidelines to prevent further disruptions:
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No Well Entry: Members will refrain from entering the Well of the House to confront the other side.
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Respect for the Chair: No member will tear papers or throw objects toward the Speaker’s chair.
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No Physical Protests: Climbing on the officials’ table—a point Speaker Birla cited as a “red line” for suspension—will strictly be avoided.
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Obstruction-Free Areas: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has also reminded members to keep the Parliament estate clear to ensure the smooth movement of all parliamentarians.
Speaker’s Appeal for Decorum
Speaker Om Birla recently expressed “deep concern” in a letter to party leaders, noting that the prestige of India’s parliamentary democracy is being undermined by banners, placards, and undignified language. He urged all parties to maintain “high ethical conduct” to uphold the House’s glorious traditions of dialogue.
