Drama in Lok Sabha: Rahul Gandhi audibly claims his mic is off, switches it off after Speaker Om Birla said it was on

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi keeps claiming that the Speaker switches off his microphone in Lok Sabha, when he remains audible. He repeated the same claim during the Lok Sabha proceedings on Wednesday, when he claimed that his microphone was not working, only for Speaker Om Birla to point out that it was already on. Moments later, Gandhi was seen switching the microphone off himself.

The incident unfolded as Gandhi was participating in the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill. Amid interruptions and uproar from the treasury benches, particularly after he named Home Minister Amit Shah in connection with the handling of student protests in Delhi, Gandhi gestured towards his microphone and complained that he was not being allowed to speak. He was heard saying “give me the mic” and asserting that the microphone was not functioning. When Speaker Om Birla said that mic is already on, Rahul Gandhi claimed, “mic nehi hain sir” (mic is not available sir).

To this, Om Birla again asserted, “mic to chalu hain” (mis already on). However, at that exact moment, Rahul Gandhi can be seen putting is finger on the microphone on his desk, probably to press the button on the panel. He then gestured with his hands that the mic is off. However, moments later, he becomes audible again. It is not known whether he rapidly switches off and switches it back on, or whether it was activated from the control room, as he was the designated speaker at that time.

On Rahul Gandhi’s request to be allowed to speak, the Speaker responded by saying that he can speak only if respects the dignity of the house.

BJP shared the video on X, saying “Speaks on mic. Shouts. Creates drama.” The party further added, “Rahul Gandhi doesn’t come to Parliament to debate. He comes to create headlines, manufacture outrage, lie, and play the victim. For him, optics trump substance. Watch him getting caught in the act.”

This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has levelled such a charge. Over the years, he has repeatedly alleged that his microphone was deliberately switched off in the Lok Sabha when he sought to raise issues ranging from the China border situation and economic matters to examination irregularities and student concerns. He has made these claims both inside Parliament and outside, including during public addresses abroad.

Speaker Om Birla has clarified the position on multiple occasions. He has stated that the Chair does not have any button or remote control to switch members’ microphones on or off. He has said that the members of Panel of Chairpersons of the Lok Sabha, which includes opposition MPs, can verify this. Notably, when the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent from the House, any one of the 10 members of the panel chairs the proceedings in the House.

Om Birla has further clarified that the parliamentary system activates the microphone only of the member who has been granted permission to speak, with the technical operation handled from the control room in accordance with the Chair’s directions. Birla has emphasised that this arrangement has long been in place and applies uniformly, regardless of which party’s member occupies the Chair, and has urged members not to cast aspersions on the office by alleging selective muting.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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