Why did the Speaker bow before the Prime Minister? This is what culture says – Om Birla’s answer to Rahul’s question

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi started his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha on Monday with Speaker Om Birla.

Speaking on the motion of thanks for the President’s address, Rahul Gandhi asked why Birla bowed before Prime Minister Modi when he was elected Speaker when he shook hands with him.

“Mr. Speaker, there are two people sitting on that chair. Lok Sabha Speaker, Union of India Speaker Om Birla. When Modi-ji went to shake hands and I went to shake hands, I noticed something. When I shook hands you stood straight, when Modi-ji shook hands you bowed”, said Rahul.

To this, Birla said that his culture has taught him to respect elders.
”Prime Minister is the President of this House… bow down and salute your elders… and behave respectfully… this is what my culture says in private life, in public life and even in this seat.

Bow down to your elders, touch their feet if necessary and salute them, I say this from the chair of honoring those younger than you. This is our culture and I follow it”, he said.
To which Rahul replied, “I respectfully accept your opinion, but I would also like to say that the Speaker is the tallest in this House and we should all bow before the Speaker.”

This is democracy, you are the president of this house. Do not bow down to anyone. The Speaker is the guardian of this House,” he said.

During his speech, Rahul held up a portrait of Lord Shiva and sought permission from the Speaker to speak about it.

Stopping him, Birla said, “You said that we have to follow the rules of the assembly. As per the rules of procedure, no flag or symbol should be displayed in the assembly,” he said.
Here, images of other things can be shown but not Lord Shiva’s image, Rahul said pointing to the treasury benches, “This image is in the heart of everyone in the country”.
“Please bow to them, don’t put them on the table,” said the speaker.