As the presiding officer of the legislature, the Speaker enjoys all power that is integral to the conduct of business and regulation of the proceedings of the House. In Gujarat, opposition members had sought to raise the issue of the assault on Dalits by cow vigilantes when the issue for discussion was ratification of the Goods and Services Tax Bill. In Tamil Nadu, members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were evicted en masse when they protested against expunging a remark by M.K. Speakers who prevent opposition members from raising important issues invariably end up drawing unflattering attention to their own actions. But unlike in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha so far, the eviction or suspension of opposition members is becoming disturbingly routine in State Assemblies.

Source: The Hindu August 24, 2016 20:03 UTC