Lok Sabha Speaker Deletes BJP MP Jagdambika Pal’s Remarks Against Opposition Leaders

In a rare move, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday expunged certain remarks made by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal while he was presiding over the House proceedings ahead of the passage of the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026.

Pal, who was occupying the Speaker’s chair during the proceedings, had made observations concerning Samajwadi Party MP Ruchi Vira and Congress MP KC Venugopal during an opposition protest over alleged police action against students during their march to Parliament on July 20.

The remarks against Ruchi Vira, the SP’s Moradabad MP, were made while Pal was attempting to caution members against disrupting the proceedings. Comments directed towards Venugopal were also made in the same context. However, the statements were later removed from the official records following objections raised by opposition members.

Congress MPs reportedly approached Speaker Birla, expressing their concerns over what they described as “political remarks” made from the Chair. Taking note of the complaints, Birla ordered the expunging of the comments, ensuring they would not remain part of the parliamentary proceedings.

The Speaker’s decision is considered unusual as remarks made by a presiding officer during House proceedings are generally expected to remain neutral and focused on maintaining parliamentary decorum. The move highlights the sensitivity surrounding statements made from the Chair, especially during politically charged debates.

The Lok Sabha subsequently proceeded with legislative business, including the passage of the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, amid continuing political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition benches.