Rajya Sabha's Friday Session Erupts in Chaos: Opposition Clashes with Chair
Turbulent Start to Rajya Sabha Proceedings
New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha's session on Friday began with significant turmoil, leading to an adjournment until noon after a fierce confrontation between the Chair and members of the Opposition.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh revealed that he had received 30 notices under Rule 267, which requested the suspension of regular business to address urgent public matters. However, he determined that none of these notices met the necessary procedural criteria for admission.
This decision sparked immediate outrage from the Opposition, who accused the Chair of suppressing discussions on vital national topics.
Among the issues raised was a call for a debate on the Special Investigation Report concerning Bihar, supported by a diverse group of members including Md Nadimul Haque (Trinamool Congress), Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Ranjeet Ranjan (Congress), Neeraj Dangi (Congress), and Rajani Ashokrao Patil (Congress).
Additionally, members from Odisha highlighted the alarming increase in crimes against women and children, while representatives from West Bengal brought attention to the discrimination faced by Bengali migrant workers in other states.
Jebi Mather (Congress) and A.A. Rahim from CPI(MP) submitted notices for a discussion regarding the arrest of two nuns in Durg, Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh (AAP) and Ramjilal Suman (SP) sought to address the economic repercussions of tariffs and penalties imposed by former US President Donald Trump on Indian exports. CPI(M)'s V. Sivadasan called for a conversation about the mass layoffs occurring in the Indian IT sector.
Despite numerous appeals, including a direct intervention from Manoj Kumar Jha, the Deputy Chairman maintained his stance, asserting that the matter related to the SIR was currently sub-judice and under the Election Commission of India's jurisdiction.
He emphasized that the rules governing the House were explicit, stating that Zero Hour and Question Hour could not be transformed into a forum for suspended business.
This declaration only fueled the protests further, with members chanting slogans such as 'Vote chori band karo' and 'Kesaria pe halla bol', which reverberated throughout the chamber as they accused the Chair of obstructing their right to voice grievances and national issues.
Ashok Kumar Mittal from the Aam Aadmi Party attempted to present his notice for Zero Hour, but his voice was drowned out by the chaos. The Speaker tried to calm the Opposition, stating, 'Pura desh dekh raha hai… aap jan samasya nahi uthane de rahe hain, aap rules follow nahi karna chahte (the whole country is watching… you are not allowing members to raise public issues because you refuse to follow the rules).'
As the uproar continued, the House was compelled to adjourn.
Earlier, several ministers had presented official documents and reports. Ministers Jitendra Prasad, Ram Nath Thakur, Dr. L. Murugan, Kamlesh Paswan, Navneet Singh, Bhupathi Raju Srinivas Sharma, and Pabitra Margherita provided updates on rural development and railways, including the second and sixth reports on rural development and the third report from the Standing Committee on Railways from the 18th Lok Sabha.
A statement was also made regarding the government's business for the upcoming week.
The legislative agenda outlined by the government included proposals for extending Presidential Rule for an additional six months, along with several Bills such as the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, the Coastal Shipping Bill 2025, the Merchant Shipping Bill, and the Indian Sports Bill.
Other items on the agenda included the National Sports Bill, the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill 2025, the Manipur Goods and Services Tax Bill, and the Appropriation Bill for Manipur for the financial year 2025–26.
A Bill proposing the adjustment of Scheduled Tribe representation in Goa was also set to be introduced in the following week's business.
As the House prepared to reconvene after noon, tensions remained high. With the Opposition resolute in their demands and the Chair steadfast on procedural matters, it appeared that the day's proceedings were likely to face further impasses.