Parliament Faces Continued Disruptions Amid Opposition Protests
Parliamentary Proceedings Stalled
Presiding Officer Sandhya Ray oversees the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament on Tuesday. (Photo:PTI)
New Delhi, July 21: For the second day in a row, Parliament experienced a standstill as protests from the Opposition led to multiple adjournments in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, significantly limiting legislative activities.
The Opposition demanded discussions regarding the alleged NEET examination paper leak, police actions during the 'Sansad Chalo' protest, and claims of misappropriated donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, resulting in loud slogans and disruptions in both Houses.
In the Lok Sabha, disruptions began immediately when Question Hour started at 11 am. Opposition members entered the Well of the House, chanting slogans concerning the NEET paper leak and the police's baton charge on protesting students.
Speaker Om Birla called on the protesting members to return to their seats, promising them a chance to voice their concerns according to parliamentary procedures. However, as protests persisted, he adjourned the House.
When the session resumed at noon, Opposition members again raised slogans, compelling ministers to present parliamentary documents amidst the chaos.
Despite repeated requests from the Chair for members to take their seats, the disruptions continued, leading to another adjournment until 2 pm.
The deadlock continued after the House reconvened in the afternoon. Presiding officer Dilip Saikia urged Opposition MPs to engage in the proceedings, but the protests remained relentless, resulting in the House being adjourned for the rest of the day.
Tuesday marked the second consecutive day of interruptions in the Lok Sabha, with Opposition members demanding discussions on alleged NEET examination irregularities, police actions during Monday's protest in Delhi, and allegations regarding the theft of donations at the Ayodhya temple.
The Rajya Sabha faced a similar stalemate. Shortly after official documents were presented, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to address the police actions against students protesting the alleged NEET paper leak.
Kharge accused the police of using lathi-charges and tear gas against the demonstrators.
His comments incited slogan-shouting from Treasury Bench members, which was countered by slogans from the Opposition, prompting Chairman C P Radhakrishnan to adjourn the House until noon.
Upon the Upper House's reconvening, Secretary General P C Mody conveyed a message from the Lok Sabha indicating that the Lower House had passed a motion recommending that the Rajya Sabha elect two members to the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit to fill vacancies left by the retirement of N R Elango and Deepak Prakash.
However, due to ongoing protests, the House was once again adjourned until 2 pm.
The post-lunch session also failed to proceed. As Opposition MPs resumed their sloganeering, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the Rajya Sabha for the day.