Parliament adjourned for the day amidst Opposition protests

Both Houses of Parliament were Tuesday adjourned for the day without transacting any constructive business amidst unabated disturbances as Opposition parties persisted with their demand for discussions on the issues of Bihar Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections and Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Proceedings in both the Houses were marked by several mid-proceeding adjournments due to disruptions caused by the Opposition parties before the two Houses called it a day to meet again on Wednesday.

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The Lok Sabha witnessed a series of adjournments, initially being adjourned until 12 pm, shortly after convening. Upon reconvening amidst fervent Opposition protests, the lower house was adjourned once again until 2 pm. In response to the tumultuous proceedings, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju censured the Opposition for fomenting disorder within the Parliament. He asserted that the government stands prepared for meaningful discourse, whilst the Opposition’s propensity for protest amounts to an egregious squandering of public funds.

Rijiju stated the government is open to discussion on significant matters, including Operation Sindoor. He emphasized the government’s commitment to open discussions adhering to parliamentary rules and traditions.

“They are demanding discussion and we are ready for it. Then why are they not allowing the House to function? This double standard is wrong. If you want discussion, then do not create ruckus. The government has said that we are ready for discussion. You are wasting public money,” Rijiju pleaded.

In a parallel development in the Rajya Sabha, Opposition members vociferously demanded a discussion pertaining to the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, their impassioned pleas manifesting in vociferous slogans. As the Question Hour commenced, Ghanshyam Tiwari of the BJP made a formal announcement regarding the resignation of Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, as conveyed via notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Despite this announcement, the Opposition members persisted vociferously with their demands for the discussions leading to subsequent adjournment of the House.

In a show of solidarity and dissent outside Parliament’s Makar Dwar, prominent leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav staged a protest decrying the Bihar Special Integrated Review.

Carrying placards denouncing the revision exercise with slogans such as “stealing of Indian Rights” and “death of democracy”, the leaders voiced their strenuous objections. The Bihar SIR has emerged as a deeply contentious issue, with INDIA bloc MPs insistently pressing for a parliamentary discussion on the matter.

The proceedings in both the Houses were marked by several mid-proceeding adjournments due to disruptions caused by opposition parties.

Despite the disruptions, the session is expected to continue with the planned agenda.

The Monsoon Session, which started Monday, will continue until August 21, with a break in mid-August.