NEW DELHI: Congress slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “hiding behind Speaker” after Om Birla said that he had requested the PM to not to come to the House when he was scheduled to reply to the President’s address, citing security reasons by the women MPs. The Lok Sabha eventually passed the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address without the customary reply by the prime minister.”The PM is hiding behind the Speaker. Yesterday, he did not have the guts to come to the House because three women were standing before the bench. What nonsense is this? There is no discussion because the govt doesn’t want discussion to happen,” Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi said on Thursday, shortly after the Lok Sabha session was adjourned again within seconds.Moreover, Congress leader Pawan Khera dismissed the “security concerns” claims as raised by the Speaker, saying that the women MPs were there to protest.PM Modi was scheduled to speak in Lok Sabha on Wednesday at 5pm. However, when the proceedings began, the women opposition leaders stood around the PM’s chair displaying posters as a mark of protest. The prime minister was not present in the House and the speech was eventually cancelled.Om Birla alleged that the MPs “could have created an inappropriate incident near the Prime Minister’s chair”, thus, he advised the PM not to visit the House.”Are the Modi government and their subservient journalists trying to say that women are inherently violent? Is protest by a woman considered terrorism? Were the Modi government and their compliant journalists uncomfortable with a Dalit woman MP standing up? Do they consider them untouchable?” Khera said reacting to the claims.”The Modi government and its servile journalists should apologize to the women of the country, especially Dalit women,” he added.The opposition has been protesting against the Centre over the proposed India–US trade deal, which it claims will hurt farmers and agriculture, the suspension of eight opposition MPs during the Budget Session, the alleged sidelining of Parliament in communicating key policy decisions, and the controversy surrounding former Army chief MM Naravane’s memoir, which Rahul Gandhi cited while accusing the government of compromising national interests, escalating tensions inside and outside the House.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosArt of the deal: How India turned from Maharaja of tariffs to king of dealsIndia And US Close In On Trade Deal, Union Minister Piyush Goyal Says Signing Likely By Mid-MarchMumbai-Pune Expressway Nightmare Ends After 32 Hours Exposing Gaps In Emergency ResponseLok Sabha Passes President’s Address Without PM’s Reply For The First Time Since 2004 Amid StandoffIndia Can Wait Out Trump: Ajit Doval Warned Marco Rubio Against Bullying On Trade Deal, Says ReportIndia’s AI Rise Gets Global Push As UN Chief Praises Leadership, Nvidia CEO Predicts Job Surge’No Fixed Timeline Yet’: Jaishankar Clears Air About The Process Behind India-US Trade Negotiations’India Will Decide…’: Russia Backs Delhi After US Claims PM Modi Agreed To Stop Buying Russian OilEAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio Underscore De-Risking Supply Chains At US Critical Minerals MeetOppn Women MPs Storm Treasury Benches Amid Protests: Inside PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech Cancellation123PhotostoriesExclusive photos that will shock you: Gas tanker crash chokes Pune–Mumbai expressway for 32 hours7 animals with the strangest and weirdest eyes in the animal kingdom10 things to buy from Surajkund International Crafts Mela this year32 hours, 30,000+ trucks, ambulances frozen, families sleeping in cars: Mega Pune-Mumbai Expressway jam explainedTop 7 real estate hotspots in Greater Noida in 20266 ultra-luxury cars for women who value style and power5 costly mistakes to avoid when purchasing your first homeThe 50: From an ugly clash between Rajat Dalal and Prince Narula to Elvish Yadav’s friend Archit Kaushik physically attacking Maxtern: Highlights from the episode5 best ways to cook broccoli for maximum health benefits7 flower seeds to sow in February for a colourful garden all season123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsMLB Trade RumorsCardi BKayla NicoleLindsey Vonn ACL InjuryCooper DeJeanTom BradyDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsWho is Mickey Lolich WifeMickey Lolich Passes Away
NEW DELHI: Congress slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “hiding behind Speaker” after Om Birla said that he had requested the PM to not to come to the House when he was scheduled to reply to the President’s address, citing security reasons by the women MPs. The Lok Sabha eventually passed the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address without the customary reply by the prime minister.“The PM is hiding behind the Speaker. Yesterday, he did not have the guts to come to the House because three women were standing before the bench. What nonsense is this? There is no discussion because the govt doesn’t want discussion to happen,” Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi said on Thursday, shortly after the Lok Sabha session was adjourned again within seconds.Moreover, Congress leader Pawan Khera dismissed the “security concerns” claims as raised by the Speaker, saying that the women MPs were there to protest.PM Modi was scheduled to speak in Lok Sabha on Wednesday at 5pm. However, when the proceedings began, the women opposition leaders stood around the PM’s chair displaying posters as a mark of protest. The prime minister was not present in the House and the speech was eventually cancelled.Om Birla alleged that the MPs “could have created an inappropriate incident near the Prime Minister’s chair”, thus, he advised the PM not to visit the House.“Are the Modi government and their subservient journalists trying to say that women are inherently violent? Is protest by a woman considered terrorism? Were the Modi government and their compliant journalists uncomfortable with a Dalit woman MP standing up? Do they consider them untouchable?” Khera said reacting to the claims.“The Modi government and its servile journalists should apologize to the women of the country, especially Dalit women,” he added.The opposition has been protesting against the Centre over the proposed India–US trade deal, which it claims will hurt farmers and agriculture, the suspension of eight opposition MPs during the Budget Session, the alleged sidelining of Parliament in communicating key policy decisions, and the controversy surrounding former Army chief MM Naravane’s memoir, which Rahul Gandhi cited while accusing the government of compromising national interests, escalating tensions inside and outside the House.
