What’s a ‘secret sitting’ of Lok Sabha and why Jawaharlal Nehru didn’t agree to hold one

Some members of Parliament from the opposition benches put forward an idea to discuss the matter by holding a secret sitting of the House.

It was then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who disagreed.

What is ‘secret’ about this Lok Sabha sitting?

Traditionally, visitors, including those on study visits, are allowed to attend the proceedings of the Lok Sabha. But, when the House sits in secret, no stranger will be permitted to be present in the “chamber, lobby or the galleries,” according to subclause 2. There are some exceptions though.

Also, a report on the proceedings is issued in a way deemed fit by the Speaker.

“But no other person present shall keep a note or record of any proceedings or decisions of a secret sitting, whether in part or full, or issue any report of, or purport to describe such proceedings”.

What happens if someone discloses what happened during a secret sitting?

Disclosing the proceedings or decisions taken during a secret proceeding or sitting will be treated as a “gross breach of privilege of the House,” according to the rules.

Can the details be ever revealed?

The Leader of the House or any authorised member needs to move a motion that the proceedings should no longer be considered secret. For this, the Speaker’s consent is required. If the motion is passed, the secretary general will put together a report of the proceedings during the “secret sitting”, and publish it at the earliest.

Why Nehru turned down request for secret sitting of Lok Sabha?

There has been “no occasion” when a secret sitting of the House has taken place, according to Constitutional expert and former Lok Sabha secretary general P D T Achari.

While some opposition members had batted for a secret sitting to discuss the sensitive issues during the India-China conflict in 1962, Nehru did not agree.

The country’s first prime minister said that the public deserved to know about the proceedings of the house, according to the report, which quoted Achari.

(With PTI inputs)