Indian Parliament Rejects Opposition Motion to Remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

New Delhi: The Opposition's motion to remove Om Birla as Lok Sabha Speaker was rejected by a voice vote after a discussion. The motion moved by Congress MP Mohammad Javed was debated for over 12 hours. After Union Home Minister Amit Shah's reply on behalf of the government, Presiding Officer Jagdambika Pal placed it before the House for voting. The House rejected the motion by a voice vote, amid uproar by Opposition members. Birla was not present in the House during the voting. Home Minister Amit Shah hit out at the Opposition for bringing a resolution against the Lok Sabha Speaker, saying it raised questions on Birla's integrity, which is very regrettable. He also responded to the Opposition's resolution in the House that no one has the right to speak against the rules. Opposition members created a ruckus over the Home Minister's words and demanded Shah's apology on the floor of the House.