Published Feb 09, 2026 | 2:45 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 09, 2026 | 2:45 PM
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. (X)
Synopsis: Referring to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, the MPs said parliamentary convention was violated as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was denied an opportunity to speak for four consecutive days, calling the move “unprecedented and indefensible”.
Women Members of Parliament from the Indian National Congress on Monday, 9 February, have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with the letter sent by Congress MP S Jothimani, alleging “false, baseless and defamatory” remarks against Opposition women MPs and the denial of parliamentary rights to the Opposition.
In the letter, the MPs said it was “deeply unfortunate” that the Speaker, as the constitutional custodian of the House, had been compelled by the ruling party to level allegations against women MPs belonging to the Congress.
Referring to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, the MPs said parliamentary convention was violated as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was denied an opportunity to speak for four consecutive days, calling the move “unprecedented and indefensible”.
The Congress women MPs further accused the Speaker of making statements the following day containing grave allegations against them to justify the Prime Minister’s non-appearance in the House.
Om Birla on 5 February, said that he had advised the prime minister not to come to the House on Wednesday as Congress’ women MPs had gathered near his seat and that any untoward incident could have taken place. The opposition on the other hand has accused the prime minister of being too scared to come to the House and deliver his reply.
#TamilNadu: #Congress women MPs write to #Speaker #OmBirla over ‘baseless allegations’ and denial of Opposition rights
Women Members of Parliament from the Indian National Congress have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with the letter sent by Congress MP S Jothimani,… pic.twitter.com/FMdnfaYoir
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) February 9, 2026
They further added, “Sir, our protests have been unrelentingly peaceful, firm, and entirely within democratic norms. Most of us come from humble backgrounds and many are first generation politicians. Our journeys have been built from decades of hard work among the people, facing resistance and discrimination. Questioning our integrity is a grievous attack on every woman who earns her place in public life with dignity and courage.”
The letter further read: “We are being targeted simply because we have consistently fought against Prime Minister Narender Modi’s anti-people government and demanded accountability from him. His absence from the House was not due to any threat from us, it was an act of fear. He did not have the courage to face the Opposition.
We are Members of Parliament from the Indian National Congress, a party that stands for love, peace, constitutional values, and human dignity, we do not believe in violence and intimidation. We are brave women elected representatives who will not be silenced by intimidation, we believe that transparency is the only way to restore the dignity of the Speaker’s office and the credibility of this House.”
Alleging political targeting, the MPs said they were being singled out for opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanding accountability. They urged the Speaker to act as an impartial custodian of the Lok Sabha and said transparency was essential to restore the dignity of Parliament.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
