Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 PM on Monday following uproar by Opposition MPs demanding a discussion on the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the government’s response through Operation Sindoor.
The House convened at 11 AM but was first adjourned until noon after Opposition members disrupted proceedings, insisting on a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the developments surrounding the attack and Operation Sindoor.
Expressing his disappointment at the disruptions, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to maintain decorum and allow discussions to proceed.
“This is the Question Hour, and the government is willing to discuss every issue. The House should function, and discussions must take place as per the rules and procedures,” Birla said.
Despite his appeal, continued sloganeering by Opposition members forced the Speaker to adjourn the House again until 2 PM.
When the House reconvened, protests resumed after the officiating Speaker informed members that Speaker Om Birla had not granted assent to any of the adjournment motions.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue, “The government is completely ready for discussion on any issue.”
Responding to the ongoing disruptions, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee will be held at 2:30 PM to finalise the agenda for discussion. The government is ready, but they (Opposition MPs) are protesting in the Well of the House. This is not the right way to begin the Monsoon Session.”
Following the adjournment, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed concern over being denied the opportunity to speak, “The question is – why is the Defence Minister allowed to speak in the House while Opposition members, including me as LoP, are not? This is a new approach. Conventionally, if ministers can speak, the Opposition should also be allowed.”
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the sentiment, stating, “If the government is truly ready for discussion, then they should let the Leader of the Opposition speak. He stood up to speak, and he should be allowed to do so.”
Meanwhile, BJP MP Baijayant Panda tabled the Report of the Select Committee on the Income Tax Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The report contains 285 recommendations aimed at overhauling the existing six-decade-old legislation.
The Monsoon session will run until August 21, with a break scheduled between August 12 and August 18. A total of 21 sittings are planned over the 32-day period.
(With inputs from ANI)