Opposition Protests in Parliament Over Police Action Against Students
Parliament Disrupted by Opposition Protests
On Friday, opposition members in Parliament created a ruckus demanding the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah due to police actions against protesting students, leading to the suspension of proceedings in both houses for the day. Amid the chaos, the Lok Sabha passed a bill amending the laws related to the registration of births and deaths without any discussion. As soon as the lower house convened, opposition members began their protests regarding the police's treatment of students.
They approached the Speaker's podium, insisting on Shah's resignation. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged the opposition members to return to their seats and allow question hour to proceed. He emphasized, "I have repeatedly requested that question hour is a crucial time for members."
Birla added, "You should not create a deliberate obstruction during question hour. Let the house function." He pointed out that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi had a question to ask but was being obstructed by the ongoing protests.
He warned some members who frequently change their appearances, stating that several had approached him expressing the need to maintain the sanctity and decorum of Parliament.
Independent member Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, was seen today dressed in saffron robes like a sadhu. With the uproar continuing, he suspended the proceedings until noon. When the session resumed at 12 PM, the protests persisted.
During the uproar, the Birth and Death Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed without discussion. Following this, the session was adjourned for the day. The monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20, and since then, various issues have led to disruptions, preventing question hour and zero hour from taking place.
Meanwhile, a similar scene unfolded in the Rajya Sabha. Opposition members protested against police actions on students demonstrating in the national capital over the NEET question paper leak and demanded a statement from the Home Minister regarding the alleged theft of donations for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Consequently, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned just twenty minutes after it began for the day.
Due to the disruptions, zero hour in the upper house lasted only 15 minutes, allowing just four members to raise issues of public importance. When proceedings commenced at 11 AM, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan presented necessary documents to the house. Following this, opposition members initiated their protests.
Amid the uproar, opposition members insisted that Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge be given the opportunity to speak. After receiving permission from the Chairman, Kharge stated that he had submitted a notice. Radhakrishnan inquired under which rule the notice was submitted.
Kharge responded that he had submitted the notice under Rule 267 to suspend regular proceedings and discuss a specific issue. The Chairman clarified that no notice under Rule 267 would be accepted, reiterating his previous arrangements regarding this rule.
Kharge's notice under Rule 267 pertained to alleged irregularities in land acquisition for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the alleged misuse of funds. Following this, opposition MPs chanted slogans against the government regarding the alleged paper leak and demanded the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah in the house. The opposition has also called for Shah's resignation over this issue.
Amid the opposition's shouting, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused them of engaging in "cheap street politics" and undermining the dignity of the house. Chouhan stated, "They are indulging in street politics and playing with the dignity of the house. Democracy is being harmed... they only want to create chaos, not engage in discussion."
He appealed to the protesting members to remain calm and allow the proceedings to continue, but seeing no effect, he adjourned the session for the day at 11:20 AM.