The Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, recently made a significant amendment to the oath-taking rules for Members of Parliament (MPs). This change was prompted by the widespread use of slogans during the oaths taken by MPs during the 18th Lok Sabha sessions on June 24 and 25. The new amendment aims to maintain decorum and adherence to the prescribed format during the oath-taking process.
The amendment, added to ‘Direction 1’ within the ‘Directions by the Speaker,’ specifically addresses the manner in which MPs take their oaths or affirmations. According to the revised clause 3, MPs must now take and subscribe to the oath without adding any words or expressions as prefixes or suffixes to the prescribed form.
During the recent oath-taking ceremonies, several MPs raised slogans such as “Jai Samvidhan” (Hail the Constitution) and “Jai Hindu Rashtra” (Hail the Hindu Nation). One MP even concluded their oath with the slogan “Jai Palestine,” which sparked objections from fellow members. Despite the protem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab’s urging to adhere to the prescribed format, some MPs chose to ignore these instructions.
Controversy Surrounding Asaduddin Owaisi’s Oath
Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and MP from Hyderabad, caused controversy during the 18th Lok Sabha session. He took his oath in Urdu and concluded it with the slogans “Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine.” The unexpected inclusion of “Jai Palestine” immediately drew objections from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs in the House. Radha Mohan Singh, presiding over the swearing-in ceremony, announced that the controversial slogan would be expunged from the official records.
Owaisi defended his actions, emphasizing that there was nothing wrong in expressing solidarity with Palestine. He invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s stance on the issue and asserted that oppressed people deserved recognition. The incident highlighted the intersection of political messages, constitutional rights, and parliamentary decorum.
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