The 2026 Budget Session will likely be remembered not for its fiscal allocations, but for an unprecedented rupture in parliamentary etiquette. A multi-day standoff between the Treasury and Opposition benches has raised fundamental questions about the functioning of India’s legislative heart. Central to this saga was a conflict over the right to cite unauthenticated documents, the strategic absence of top leadership from the Lok Sabha, and the increasingly contested role of the Speaker.

The Spark: The Naravane Memoir and Rule 349

The mayhem was ignited when LoP Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from a magazine article featuring excerpts from Four Stars of Destiny, the as-yet-unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane. The excerpts reportedly contained sensitive observations regarding the 2020 border standoff with China. The events followed a predictable but explosive pattern:

• The Attack: Gandhi cited the memoir to question the government’s defense preparedness and claimed the political leadership had "let the Army down".
• Government Objection: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah immediately raised a Point of Order, arguing that a member cannot quote from a book that has not been officially published.
• Rule 349(i): The government invoked this rule, which states that while the House is sitting, a member shall not read any book, newspaper, or letter except in connection with the Business of the House.

The Prime Minister’s Absence and the Rajya Sabha Reply

In a historic first, the Motion of Thanks was passed in the Lok Sabha without the customary reply from the Prime Minister. This tactical shift deepened the political divide:

• Lok Sabha Absence: Speaker Om Birla informed the House that he had advised the PM not to enter due to "credible information" that Opposition MPs might attempt an "unexpected act" of protest near the PM’s seat.
• Rajya Sabha Counter: While absent from the Lower House, the PM delivered a scathing address in the Rajya Sabha, terming the Lok Sabha disruptions a "defilement of the temple of democracy" and an insult to the President.
• Opposition Walkout: In retaliation to the PM’s Rajya Sabha speech, the entire Opposition staged a walkout, claiming the government was determined to prevent the LoP from speaking in both Houses.

The Contentious Role of the Speaker

The role of the Speaker as an impartial arbiter has come under intense scrutiny. The Opposition has alleged bias, culminating in a reported move to file a No-Confidence Motion against Speaker Om Birla:

• Expunging Records: Portions of the LoP’s speech were expunged from the official records, a move the Speaker defended as necessary to maintain decorum and protect national interest.
• Enforcing Discipline: The Speaker suspended eight Lok Sabha MPs for "unruly behavior" after papers were thrown at the podium, further aggravating the "one-sided Parliament" narrative.
• Selective Rules: Opposition leaders questioned why magazine references were barred for them while the Treasury benches were allowed to cite unofficial reports in previous debates.

Legal and Constitutional Dimensions

The saga touches upon several critical articles of the Indian Constitution regarding parliamentary privileges and freedom of speech:

• Article 105: This provides MPs with almost absolute Freedom of Speech within the House, shielding them from court proceedings for anything said during a debate.
• Rule 353 and 380: While Article 105 protects them legally, internal House Rules 353 (allegations against individuals) and 380 (expunging undignified words) grant the Speaker power to regulate that speech.
• Procedural Supremacy: Article 122 bars the judiciary from reviewing parliamentary proceedings based on "procedural irregularities," making the Speaker’s ruling final within the House.

Concerns over Parliamentary Democracy

The functional paralysis of the Budget Session signals a deeper malaise in the culture of discussion. Experts and citizens alike have expressed alarm over these trends:

• Freedom of Speech: The frequent use of the "Expunging" tool and Rule 349 is seen by some as a crackdown on dissent and a way to sanitize the public record.
• Functional Decay: Over 19 hours were lost to disruptions in a single week, meaning critical public issues and budget allocations went without scrutiny.
• Erosion of Trust: When the Prime Minister and LoP are unable to engage in the same House, the institution of Parliamentary Oversight is severely compromised.