History repeats in Lok Sabha: The 1968 Punjab ‘constitutional crisis’ that mirrors Opposition’s war on Speaker Om Birla
In 1968, Punjab legislators brought a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker Speaker Joginder Singh Mann, claiming that he had failed to maintain order and decorum in the Punjab Assembly.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts the proceedings of Lok Sabha during the Parliament Budget Session, in New Delhi on Monday. (Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab)
The notice of no-confidence motion submitted by 118 Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha against Speaker Om Birla recalls a similar motion brought against the then-Punjab Assembly Speaker Joginder Singh Mann in 1968.
While the Speaker was elected from Akali Dal (Tara Singh group), the government at that time was led by Lachhman Singh Gill of the Punjab Janata Party, which had formed a coalition with the Congress. It came to power in November 1967 after the previous United Front government fell.
Jagrup Singh Sekhon, a political science expert from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, said the no-confidence motion was moved against Speaker Joginder Singh Mann on March 6, 1968. The motion, backed by 56 members of the Janata Party and Congress, claimed that he had failed to maintain order and decorum in the Punjab Assembly.
“However, this motion had no similarity with the motion being proposed by Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha. The Punjab Government at the time was a coalition government. It was a flaccid situation. No party was in the majority. In the case of Om Birla, he has crossed all constitutional propriety,” Sekhon said.
‘Challenge to society’s democratic framework’
Sekhon said that during Dr Manmohan Singh’s government (2004–2009), Somnath Chatterjee played a very important role as the Lok Sabha Speaker.
“He was known for putting the Constitution and the office of Speaker above party politics. His most important role came in 2008, during the crisis over the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement. The Left parties, including CPI(M), opposed the nuclear deal,” said Sekhon.
He pointed out that the Left withdrew support from the Manmohan Singh government, which then had to prove its majority in Lok Sabha through a confidence vote. “As Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee allowed the confidence motion to be discussed and voted on in a fair manner, ensuring order and procedure during one of the most tense debates in Parliament.”
Story continues below this ad
Sekhon added that the “role being played by the incumbent Speaker of Lok Sabha is a challenge to the democratic framework of society”. “The chair he is on and the role he is playing are diametrically opposite.”
What happened in Punjab Assembly
On March 7, 1968, the then Leader of the Opposition, Gurnam Singh, challenged the motion, saying it was illegal. The Constitution requires a 14-day notice for any motion to remove the Speaker, and the rules do not permit a simple no-confidence motion against the Speaker; they allow only a motion for removal.
The Speaker agreed with this view, saying the no-confidence motion was unconstitutional and that it was treated as if it had never been moved, angering many legislators.
The Speaker then adjourned the Assembly for two months, even though the Budget Session was underway, and the government needed to pass the Budget before March 31. This created a constitutional crisis in Punjab because the government could not function without the budget.
Story continues below this ad
On March 11, 1968, the Speaker prorogued the Assembly. The Punjab Governor signed the order, but the High Court later declared both the adjournment and the prorogation unconstitutional. The state government then appealed to the Supreme Court. At first, the Supreme Court granted a temporary reprieve to allow government work to continue, but on July 30, 1968, it set aside the High Court judgment, ending the crisis.
Even though the government survived the legal battle, the crisis damaged the relationship between the Punjab Janata Party and the Congress. As differences grew, the Congress decided to withdraw support from Lachhman Singh Gill’s government.
Finally, on August 21, 1968, Lachhman Singh Gill resigned because he lacked sufficient support to continue. No other political party was able to form a new government. As a result, on August 23, 1968, the Assembly was dissolved, and President’s Rule was imposed in Punjab.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More
