Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday, 2 November 2026, declared that agreement and disagreement are 'two sides of the same coin in a healthy and vibrant democracy,' urging public representatives to embrace dissent as a driver of better governance. He was speaking at Panchkula, Haryana, at the inaugural session of the Janpratinidhi Sammelan organised by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha as part of the Samvidhan Pakhwada Programme.

On Dissent and Democratic Values

Speaker Birla stressed that dissent must be welcomed and respected as a vital catalyst for fresh perspectives, for correcting administrative blind spots, and for promoting better governance. He underscored that irrespective of political, party, or ideological differences, the overarching commitment of all public representatives must remain the continued progress of the state and the nation.

Notably, the remarks come at a time when legislative disruptions across state assemblies and Parliament have drawn criticism from multiple quarters, lending the Speaker's appeal a pointed contemporary relevance.

Haryana's Six-Decade Journey

Addressing serving and former members of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, along with former ministers, Speaker Birla reflected on the state's 60-year journey of growth, socio-economic resilience, and multi-sectoral leadership. He observed that Haryana has consistently remained at the forefront of national progress despite numerous historical and administrative challenges.

Drawing a parallel with the timeless message of karma enshrined in the Bhagavad Gita, he lauded Haryana's farming community for pioneering modern agricultural technologies, enhancing crop yields, and contributing significantly to India's food security. He also praised the state's youth in the armed forces for their valour and commended its sportspersons for consistently enhancing India's stature on the global sporting stage.

The Constitutional Foundation

Highlighting the inclusive and deliberative nature of India's constitutional journey, the Speaker noted that the Constituent Assembly, under the guidance of Drafting Committee Chairman Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar and with participation from distinguished leaders across regions including Haryana and Punjab, laid the foundations of a cohesive parliamentary democracy amid immense linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity.

'Our Constitution is not merely a framework for running the government; it is the soul of India, reflecting our national consciousness and the aspirations of crores of people,' he said.

A Call for Grassroots Empowerment

Speaker Birla urged lawmakers to regard governance and administration primarily as instruments of grassroots empowerment rather than mere administrative mechanisms. He emphasised that the commitment to public service does not end with the completion of one's legislative tenure.

He stated that the ultimate measure of political and social life lies in bringing tangible socio-economic transformation and genuine happiness to the most vulnerable sections of society — a benchmark, he argued, that every elected representative must hold themselves accountable to.

What This Signals

The Samvidhan Pakhwada Programme is part of a broader national effort to reaffirm constitutional values among legislators at all levels. With the Haryana Vidhan Sabha having recently witnessed a change in government, the timing of the Janpratinidhi Sammelan underlines an intent to reset the legislative culture in the state. Similar conclaves are expected to be held in other states as part of the programme's national rollout.