18th Lok Sabha Session, MPs oath taking

Members of the 18th Lok Sabha have taken oath recently.

• Bhartruhari Mahtab will be the first one to take the oath of a Lok Sabha MP in front of President 
• The President has entrusted him with the duties of the Speaker (pro tem) under Article 95(1) of the Constitution till the election of the new Speaker. 
  • As per convention, a senior most member will be appointed as the pro tem speaker with the agreement of assembly members, who then carry on the activities until the permanent speaker is chosen.

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Significance Of Parliamentary Oath 

• Winning the election and starting the term does not automatically allow an MP to participate in House proceedings. 
• Article 99: To debate and vote in Lok Sabha, an MP has to take her seat in the House by making and subscribing to an oath or affirmation prescribed in the Constitution . 

• Article 104: Constitution also specifies a financial penalty (the only one in the document) of Rs 500 if a person participates or votes in House proceedings without taking an oath 
• EXCEPTION: An individual can become a minister without being elected to Parliament. 
  • They have six months to secure a seat in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. 
  • During this time, they can participate but not vote in House proceedings.

How has the oath evolved over years?

• GOD Or CONSTITUTION: Dr B R Ambedkar argued for the person taking the oath solemnly and sincerely promises to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution
  • K T Shah and Mahavir Tyagi moved amendments to add God to the oath.
• Sixteenth Amendment Act, 1963: Last change in the oath . It added that the oath-takers would uphold India’s sovereignty and integrity
• The amendment was made on the recommendations of the National Integration Council.
• Oaths and affirmations are a matter of personal choice for MPs: In the last Lok Sabha, 87% of MPs swore in the name of God, and the other 13% affirmed their allegiance to the Constitution.
• Languages: MPs can subscribe to the oath or affirmation in English or any of the 22 languages specified in the Constitution.

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