While MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his MLAs may persist with their stand vis-a-vis Maharashtra SP MLA Abu Azmi, they received a thumbs-down from none other than Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Thursday.

Asked for her take on the attack on the SP MLA for not taking his oath in Marathi, the Speaker said, “The whole world has respect and admiration for the Indian democracy, including Parliament and state legislatures.” She implied that the incident had dented the image of the Indian democracy.

Kumar, who was talking to reporters after a meeting with leaders of various parties, pointed out that members of Parliament were free to take oath in any of the 22 languages. State legislatures had their own rules for the purpose. Asked about the permission sought by Union Minister M K Alagiri for answering questions in Tamil in the House, the Speaker said she had called him for a discussion and was hopeful of finding a solution to the matter.

The Speaker said she would constitute a joint parliamentary committee in consultation with the Rajya Sabha Chairman to preserve and protect the Parliament House building. The committee would be assisted by an advisory panel, including architects, historians and others, headed by the Secretary-General of the Lower House. “This committee’s approval will be needed even for fixing a nail,” she said.

Sources said leaders across parties had demanded a discussion on price rise. The other issues the party leaders had sought to raise were the Maoist violence, general economic situation and difficulties faced by farmers due to both drought and flood. RLD leader Ajit Singh wondered why an ordinance was issued for ensuring a uniform price for sugarcane just ahead of the session.