In an unprecedented breach of parliamentary decorum, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla revealed on February 5, 2026, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled address was cancelled due to “concrete information” that Congress MPs planned to physically surround the PM’s chair and engage in an “unexpected act.”
The Speaker described the alleged plot as a “black spot” on India’s democratic traditions, asserting that it was his responsibility to advise the Prime Minister to stay away from the House for his own safety.
The “Gherao” and Safety Concerns
The drama reached a boiling point on the evening of February 4, when PM Modi was slated to reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.
- Women MPs’ Blockade: Reports and visuals from the House showed a group of women MPs from the Opposition, including Varsha Gaikwad and Jothimani, surrounding the Prime Minister’s front-row seat and blocking the aisle he would have used to reach it.
- The “Safety Advice”: Speaker Om Birla stated, “I had received information that several Opposition MPs might approach the Prime Minister’s seat, which could have led to an unforeseen incident. Therefore, I urged the Prime Minister not to come to the House.”
- The Forfeit: For the first time in decades, the Motion of Thanks was passed via voice vote without the Prime Minister’s customary reply in the Lok Sabha.
Opposition’s Rebuttal: “An Absolute Lie”
The Congress leadership has hit back fiercely, accusing the Speaker of providing “cover” for the Prime Minister’s refusal to face the House.
- Priyanka Gandhi’s Stance: She termed the safety concern an “absolute lie,” stating, “There is no question of anybody raising hands on the Prime Minister… He is hiding behind the Speaker.” * The “Naravane” Trigger: The Opposition contends the PM skipped the session to avoid being questioned on former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir, Four Stars of Destiny. Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the book exposes how the political leadership “raised their hands” and left the Army to act alone during the 2020 China border crisis.
The Three Flashpoints of the Standoff
The Parliament has been paralyzed this week by three specific issues:
- Naravane’s Memoir: Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to quote from the book (which is currently pending MoD approval) led to the suspension of eight Opposition MPs.
- India-US Trade Deal: Protests against the recently announced tariff cuts, which the Opposition claims are a “Dheel” (giveaway) to the Trump administration.
- Allegations Against Former PMs: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raked up controversies involving Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, further infuriating the Congress benches.