Parliamentary Etiquette and Dignity of the Presiding Officer
Source:Indian Express ↗
Why It Matters
The dignity and authority of the Presiding Officer are foundational to the smooth, impartial functioning of Parliament. Issues of parliamentary decorum and MP conduct frequently feature in UPSC polity discussions, particularly concerning maintaining the standards of legislative debate and institutional respect.
Summary
TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti strongly objected to a Congress leader addressing the Lok Sabha Chair with the casual term 'yaar' (friend) during parliamentary proceedings. Tenneti's intervention emphasized the necessity of maintaining parliamentary decorum and respecting the constitutional dignity of the Presiding Officer. The incident highlights ongoing debates surrounding the code of conduct for MPs, the rules of procedure, and the broader need to uphold institutional etiquette within India's legislative bodies.
Key Points
- TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti protested the use of the informal term 'yaar' (friend) directed at the Lok Sabha Chair by a Congress MP.
- The objection underscores the critical importance of parliamentary etiquette and the formal respect required for the Presiding Officer.
- Under parliamentary rules, members are expected to maintain the dignity of the House and avoid casual, informal, or unparliamentary language while addressing the Chair.
- The incident draws attention to the role of the Speaker or Chair as the ultimate custodian of parliamentary decorum and the necessity of upholding institutional integrity.
Important Terms
Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha
Regulations framed under Article 118 of the Constitution to govern parliamentary proceedings, ensure order, and manage the House's daily business.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Parliament and State Legislatures — functioning, conduct of business, and powers/privileges of the House.
Lok Sabha
The lower house of India's bicameral Parliament, representing the people through directly elected members (MPs) for a five-year term.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Structure and functioning of the Legislature; representative democracy and parliamentary accountability.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
A major regional political party in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, founded by N.T. Rama Rao in 1982 to protect Telugu self-respect.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Federalism and regional political parties; their role in coalition politics and national governance.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha
The Presiding Officer of the Lok Sabha, responsible for maintaining decorum, interpreting rules, and protecting the rights and privileges of members.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Constitutional bodies and presiding officers; critical for neutral parliamentary conduct and anti-defection law.
Indian National Congress (INC)
India's oldest political party, founded in 1885, which led the independence movement and significantly shaped post-independence governance and parliamentary democracy.
UPSC context
GS Paper I & II: Modern Indian History (freedom struggle) and Political Parties/Pressure Groups in the current system.
Parliamentary Etiquette
The customary code of polite behavior and formal speech required of MPs to maintain the dignity and sanctity of legislative proceedings.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Ethics and conduct of business in Parliament; tests understanding of institutional norms beyond written laws.
Prelims Trap
"The Constitution of India explicitly defines what constitutes 'unparliamentary language' in Parliament."
The Constitution does not define 'unparliamentary language'. It is governed by the Rules of Procedure, historical conventions, precedents, and the Speaker's ultimate discretion under Rule 380 of the Lok Sabha.
Static Concepts Connected
What restricts the freedom of speech of an MP under Article 105?
- Constitutional limits: Article 121 restricts MPs from discussing the conduct of Supreme Court or High Court judges in the discharge of their duties (except during removal motions).
- House rules: Speech is explicitly subject to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, empowering the Speaker to regulate parliamentary debates and maintain decorum.
- Speaker's authority: The Speaker can expunge defamatory or unparliamentary remarks (Rule 380) and has penal powers to suspend consistently unruly members (Rules 373 and 374).
How does the Lok Sabha regulate and manage unparliamentary words?
- Rule 380: Grants the Speaker absolute discretion to expunge words deemed defamatory, indecent, unparliamentary, or undignified from the official proceedings.
- Expunged records: Once expunged, those words can no longer be reported by the media; publishing expunged remarks constitutes a breach of parliamentary privilege.
- Reference compilation: The Lok Sabha Secretariat maintains a voluminous, regularly updated reference compilation of words and expressions previously ruled as unparliamentary.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Freedom of Speech: Art 105 vs Art 19
While a citizen's speech (Art 19) is subject to statutory "reasonable restrictions", an MP's speech (Art 105) is restricted primarily by House rules and Speaker's discipline, enjoying complete immunity from court action.
Art 122 & Judicial Immunity
The Speaker's decision to expunge words or suspend an MP for unparliamentary behavior cannot be challenged in court, reinforcing the separation of powers and legislative autonomy under Article 122.
Expect a multi-statement Prelims question contrasting MPs' Article 105 privileges with Article 19(1)(a) restrictions and Speaker powers.
Linked PYQs · 4
Linked PYQs · 4
- 2020MainsGS2
Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker' ! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha ? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India?
- 2023MainsGS2
Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.
- 2024PrelimsGS1
With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements : While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is under consideration 1. He/She shall not preside. 2. He/She shall not have the right to speak. 3. He/She shall not be entitled to vote on the resolution in the first instance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 2022PrelimsGS1
With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements: 1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix. 2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party. 3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings. 4. The well established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above are correct?
