Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has imposed new regulations prohibiting Members of Parliament (MPs) from chanting slogans such as “Jai Palestine” and “Hindu Rashtra Ki Jai” during the oath-taking ceremony. This decision follows the controversy sparked during the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha.
The controversy erupted when Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), chanted “Jai Bhim, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana” and “Jai Palestine” after taking his oath as an MP. This incident, along with similar actions by other MPs, led to widespread objections and debates within the House.
The new guidelines stipulate that all future elected MPs must adhere strictly to the prescribed format under the Constitution when taking their oath. The updated rules, as directed by Speaker Om Birla, prohibit any form of slogan-chanting or the addition of words to the oath. The amendments have been incorporated into Rule 389 (17th edition) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
According to the revised rule, a new clause 3 has been added to Instruction 1 of Rule 389. This clause mandates that MPs take the oath in the form prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution of India and sign it without using any additional remarks, words, or expressions.
The issue came to the forefront on the second day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha when Asaduddin Owaisi chanted “Jai Palestine.” His actions drew objections from other MPs. Subsequently, Rahul Gandhi chanted “Jai Hind” and “Jai Samvidhan” after his oath, BJP MP from Bareilly Chhatrapal Gangwar chanted “Hindu Rashtra Ki Jai,” SP MP Avadhesh Rai chanted “Jai Ayodhya” and “Jai Avadhesh,” and Hema Malini began her oath with “Radhe-Radhe.”
These instances were criticized, with accusations that MPs were using the oath-taking ceremony to convey their political messages. The new rules aim to ensure that the solemnity and decorum of the oath-taking process are maintained, preventing any form of political sloganeering during the ceremony.
The implementation of these stricter rules reflects an effort to uphold the dignity of the parliamentary process and prevent future controversies related to oath-taking ceremonies.