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Lok Sabha Uproar Over Rahul Gandhi Speech, 8 MPs Suspended

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
  • Feb 03, 2026
  • 677

For the second consecutive day, the Lok Sabha witnessed intense disruption following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to address the House. At around 2 pm on Tuesday, Gandhi sought to cite an article from an unpublished book written by a former Army Chief, insisting on his right to speak.

However, even before he could proceed, MPs from the ruling NDA benches began interrupting him. Rahul Gandhi managed to speak for about 14 minutes amid continuous sloganeering, compared to nearly 46 minutes on Monday, when similar scenes of disruption had unfolded.

As the situation deteriorated, Speaker Krishna Prasad Tenneti intervened and asked MPs from other parties to present their views. In a show of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Uttam Patel, Trinamool Congress MP Shatabdi Roy, and DMK MP D.M. Kathir Anand declined to speak.

Opposition members then stormed the Well of the House, raising slogans and throwing papers toward the Speaker’s chair, forcing the adjournment of proceedings. Subsequently, Speaker Dilip Saikia suspended eight MPs for the remainder of the session under Rule 374 of the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure.


What Is Rule 374?


Rule 374 empowers the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to take strict action against MPs who deliberately disrupt proceedings or show disrespect to the authority of the Chair.
If an MP violates parliamentary decorum or obstructs the functioning of the House, the Speaker may name the member.
After naming the MP, the Speaker places a motion for suspension before the House.
The suspension can last up to the end of the ongoing session, though the House retains the authority to revoke the suspension if it so decides.


What Does Rule 374A Provide?


Rule 374A was introduced on December 5, 2001, to enable swift disciplinary action without the need for a separate motion.

Under this rule, an MP can be automatically suspended for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less, if they:
Rush to the Speaker’s podium,
Shout slogans,
Or engage in any other act that severely disrupts House proceedings.
Do Suspended MPs Receive Salary?
Yes. MPs suspended for disorderly conduct continue to receive their full salary and allowances during the suspension period.

The idea of enforcing a “no work, no pay” policy for legislators has been debated for decades and considered by successive central governments, but it has not yet been implemented.