Opposition Files No-Confidence Notice Against Om Birla

Key Allegations

The Opposition has also laid all kinds of challenges to it, from the refusal to allow Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to speak, to the suspension of Opposition members, to the purported failure to act against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey following his remarks.
Leaders have also pushed back against accusations that female MPs were a danger to the Prime Minister. 

Signatures Overview

Under Article 94(c) of the Constitution, a Lok Sabha member may send a written notification of intention to refer the resolution on the removal of the Speaker to the Secretary-General, which shall be given to the Secretary-General at a minimum of 14 days’ notice.
The notice for the resolution seeking removal of Mr Birla from Lok Sabha holds 119 signatures: T.R. Baalu, DMK, Dimple Yadav, SP. The members of Trinamool Congress have not signed. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also declined to sign, as one of the charges relates to him not being able to speak. 

Government Response

Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the Opposition lacked the numbers to carry the resolution. The no-confidence move comes on the heels of another protracted matter in the Lok Sabha, with multiple adjournments following demonstrations by opposition members over the denial of speaking time during key discussions. 

Speaker's Position

Speaker Om Birla has decided that he will not go to the House until such time as discussion and decision are made on the motion against him by the Opposition MPs seeking his removal.
Under Article 96(1) of the Constitution, a Speaker may be unable to preside over any sitting, even if in attendance, when a resolution to remove his or her name or position is proposed. But the Speaker has the discretion to attend and speak during the proceedings and there the Speaker gets a chance to defend against the allegations, he added.
During such proceedings, the Speaker may be on the floor of the Lok Sabha but must vacate the Chair.