Monsoon session opens in chaos as Opposition protests stall Parliament
The opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Monday witnessed repeated disruptions in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as Opposition parties
The opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Monday witnessed repeated disruptions in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as Opposition parties staged noisy protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the police action against students protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, and the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Proceedings in both Houses were adjourned multiple times, with little legislative business transacted amid slogan shouting, placard-waving and repeated appeals from the Chair for order. Read Full Story In the Lok Sabha, the House was adjourned five times during the day as Opposition members disrupted proceedings from the outset. When the House assembled at 11 am, members began raising slogans during Question Hour, prompting Speaker Om Birla to adjourn proceedings till noon. Earlier, while obituary references to six former MPs were being made, Birla objected to members raising slogans, calling it an inappropriate precedent.
The protests continued when the House reconvened at noon, leading to another adjournment till 12.30 pm. Before the House was adjourned, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced a Bill to replace an ordinance increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India. Repeated appeals to take up Zero Hour at 12.30 pm failed as Opposition members continued shouting slogans. Presiding officer Dilip Saikia adjourned the House till 1 pm and, when it reconvened, urged members to return to their seats and participate in discussions. "The House is ready for discussions on various issues. But you are not interested. You don't want to discuss people's issues. This is not the way. You are disrupting the House repeatedly. You are showing banners and posters which is not acceptable," Saikia said before adjourning proceedings again till 2 pm.
The disruption persisted after the House reassembled at 2 pm. Presiding officer Jagdambika Pal noted there was adequate quorum to conduct business, even as some Opposition MPs alleged they were being prevented from entering the House. With protests continuing, the House was adjourned once more till 2.30 pm. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the House could not function if members continued protesting instead of allowing proceedings to continue. The Rajya Sabha also witnessed repeated disruptions, with proceedings being adjourned soon after the laying of papers, oath-taking by newly elected members and obituary references. The House was subsequently adjourned at noon, again at 12.30 pm and later till 12.50 pm as Opposition protests intensified. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought to raise the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, saying it concerned the future of lakhs of students. "Thousands of students have reached Jantar Mantar, and they were lathi-charged.
The BriefWire