Ability to respond to aspirations keeps democratic institutions relevant: Om Birla

Key Highlights

• Birla said that consensus and dissent are both strengths of democracy, but they must be expressed within the framework of parliamentary propriety.
• In this context, the role of the presiding officer is described as decisive in safeguarding the dignity of the House, ensuring impartiality and reinforcing institutional credibility, he said.
• Addressing the valedictory session, Birla said that transparency fosters public trust by ensuring openness in decision-making, while inclusivity guarantees that every voice — especially those on the margins — is heard and respected in the democratic process.
• “Together, these principles sustain the legitimacy of democratic institutions and strengthen the enduring bond between the citizens and the state,” Birla said.
• The speaker also handed over the chairmanship of the 29th CSPOC to Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the UK House of Commons.