Om Birla Calls Legislatures ‘Schools of Democracy’

• Om Birla addresses Rajasthan Assembly’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
• Says legislatures are schools of democracy rooted in dialogue and service.
• Urges lawmakers to prioritise facts, decorum and public trust.
• Calls for digital preservation of legislative debates and proceedings.

GG News Bureau
Jaipur, 15th July: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday described legislatures as “schools of democracy” where lawmakers learn the values of dialogue, discipline, consensus and public service, asserting that democracy is sustained not only by constitutional provisions but also by public trust and the spirit of service.

Addressing the inaugural session of the ‘Legislative Pride Journey: A Gathering of Former and Current Members’, organised as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Birla said legislators must clearly understand their responsibility towards the people and uphold democratic values through meaningful participation in legislative proceedings.

Calling the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly the “first school” of his public life, Birla recalled that the institution shaped his journey from a student activist to an MLA, Member of Parliament and eventually the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He said healthy debates and attentive listening strengthen democracy, while personal differences weaken it.

Congratulating the Assembly on completing 75 years, the Lok Sabha Speaker said Rajasthan’s democratic traditions are deeply rooted in India’s ancient culture of dialogue, consultation and participatory governance. He noted that Parliament and State Legislatures together form the foundation of India’s democratic system and stressed that strong State Assemblies strengthen Parliament and the nation.

Birla urged young legislators to continuously study, listen carefully and participate constructively in debates, saying people remember conduct rather than positions. He advised lawmakers to rely on facts, logic and credible arguments while maintaining the dignity and decorum of the House.

Highlighting the need for institutional modernisation, he called for the digital preservation of legislative debates and proceedings to strengthen parliamentary research and help future legislators learn from past deliberations.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, MPs, former legislators and other dignitaries attended the event.