What Is Lok Sabha Rule 349, Which Rahul Gandhi Is Accused Of Violating? What Was The Congress Leader Insisting On?

New Delhi: During the discussion on the motion of thanks on President Droupadi Murmu's address on Monday (February 2), Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's reference to excerpts from a draft memoir by former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane caused an uproar in the Lok Sabha. The ruling party strongly protested against it. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah also objected to the mention of Naravane's memoir.

This led to a heated exchange and commotion between the ruling party and Congress members in the House. Due to the continued deadlock, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House at 2:09 PM until 3 PM. When the proceedings resumed, Rahul Gandhi again started referring to General Naravane's statements. This again led to an uproar in the House. Seeing this, Speaker Birla adjourned the House until 4 PM.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla repeatedly appealed to the Congress leader, citing Lok Sabha Rule 349, that he could not quote from a book or magazine in the House. However, Rahul Gandhi attempted to raise the issue of India's military tensions with China, citing the former Indian Army Chief, and claimed that the former Indian Army Chief had also commented on the character of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

During this, Rajnath Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to mislead the House. Prime Minister Modi was also present in the Lok Sabha during the deadlock. Now the question arises, what is Rule 349 that is preventing Rahul Gandhi from reading General Naravane's memoir?

What is Lok Sabha Rule 349?

Rule 349 of the Lok Sabha Rulebook pertains to the conduct and decorum of members within the House. This rule lays down the courtesies that every Member of Parliament is required to observe during the proceedings of the House. This rule states that members cannot chant slogans or stage any kind of demonstration in the House. Sub-section one of this rule states that no member can read newspaper clippings, excerpts from magazines, or passages from books in the House. Furthermore, displaying flags, symbols, posters, placards, or religious images inside the House is prohibited.

Are the Speaker's instructions binding?

Lok Sabha Rule 349 also states that members cannot speak loudly, laugh, or engage in any behavior that disrupts the proceedings. Additionally, interrupting another member while they are speaking or disrupting their speech is considered a violation of the rules. The rule states that members must follow the instructions and directions of the Lok Sabha Speaker and cannot raise any issue without his permission.

Was Tejasvi Surya's statement countered?

It is worth noting that Rahul Gandhi, while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks on the President's address, attempted to counter BJP MP Tejasvi Surya's statement at the beginning of his speech. He said that Surya had questioned the patriotism and character of the Congress, and therefore he wanted to read an excerpt from a memoir of a former army chief that was published in a magazine. As soon as he attempted to read it, Rajnath Singh questioned whether the Leader of the Opposition should clarify whether the book he was referring to had been published or not.

When were the House proceedings adjourned?

Home Minister Amit Shah also said that matters published in books and magazines cannot be presented in the House and that the Leader of the Opposition should follow the rules. Birla repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to speak on the President's address. When Rahul Gandhi insisted on placing excerpts from the memoir on the floor of the House, Birla said, "You are continuously defying the Chair..." Rahul Gandhi said he was not challenging the Chair, but wanted to speak about India's relations with China. Due to the continued disruption in the House, Birla adjourned the Lok Sabha session first until 3 pm and then until 4 pm. When the House reconvened at 4 pm, Rahul Gandhi again began referring to General Naravane's memoir. Following this, the presiding officer, Jagdambika Pal, adjourned the House until tomorrow.