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Oath of MPs
Context :
Recently in the oath taking ceremony of MP’s in 18th Lok Sabha MP from Saran, Bihar could not take his oath in Bhojpuri.
Oath
- The Constitution’s third schedule contains the text of the parliamentary oath:
- In his oath or affirmation ,a member of Parliament swears:
- bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established,
- will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India
- will faithfully discharge the duty upon which he is about to enter.
What is the parliamentary oath vs Affirmation ? According to Article 99 an MP has to subscribe to an oath or affirmation prescribed in the Constitution. 
Who governs the Oath :
- Article 95(1) : The President or the person appointed by him
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- The President has entrusted the pro term speaker with the duties to preside over the House as his colleagues take oath.
Language of the Oath :
- After the verification, MPs can subscribe to the oath or affirmation in English or any of the 22 scheduled languages specified in the Constitution.
- These languages included Sanskrit, Hindi, Dogri, Assamese, Odia and others.
Need for Oath?
- The five-year term of a Lok Sabha MP begins when the Election Commission of India (ECI) declares the result but to participate or vote in the House, MPs must first take oath.
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- Article 99-:To debate and vote in Lok Sabha, an MP has to take her seat in the House by making and subscribing to an oath or affirmation prescribed in the Constitution.
- Article 104: The Constitution also specifies a financial penalty (the only one in the document) of Rs 500 if a person participates or votes in House proceedings without taking an oath.
- However, there is an exception to this rule. An individual can become a minister without being elected to Parliament for 6 months.
- During this time, they can participate but not vote in House proceedings.
