Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stressed that no word has been banned by the Lok Sabha Secretariat and only those words will be expunged which are unparliamentary in nature. The response came amid the controversy wherein some members of the Parliament and political parties have raised objections over several words which have been listed as unparliamentary by the Lok Sabha Secretariat in its new booklet.
Briefing media in New Delhi today, Mr. Birla said, context is important rather than words. He said, if any word is being used during the proceedings of the house which is unparliamentary in context, then it will be expunged. He said, issuing the list of unparliamentary words is a routine process of the Lok Sabha and this practice is in existence since 1954.
Refuting the allegation that the government has banned certain words to restrict the Opposition to criticize the government, he said, the government cannot ban any word. He said words that have been listed as unparliamentary are being used by the members of the party in power as well as by the Opposition. He said, any member of the house has the right to speech and expression, however, it is expected that the debate must be according to the decorum of the house.
