Monsoon Session of Parliament ends, Oppn protests, disruptions marred the proceedings

BIRLA: PLANNED DEADLOCK HURT DIGNITY OF PARLIAMENT

- VINAY KUMAR

NEW DELHI: Parliament's Monsoon Session that concluded on Thursday witnessed frequent disruptions and stormy scenes as an adamant Opposition focused its protest on key issues. Disruptions and protests marred the proceedings and overshadowed legislative business, with the Lok Sabha losing over 84 hours to forced adjournments, the highest in the 18th Lok Sabha.

The month-long session, which began on July 21, had 21 sittings with 37 hours and 7 minutes of effective business, according to the Lok Sabha Secretariat. Both Houses were adjourned sine die. On most days, proceedings witnessed vociferous protests, primarily over the Opposition's demand for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that all parties had decided at the beginning of the session that discussions would be held for 120 hours. "The Business Advisory Committee also agreed to this. But due to continuous deadlock and planned disruptions, we could barely work for 37 hours in this session," he said.

Despite the disruptions, the government managed to introduce 14 Bills and secure passage of 12 key legislations, including the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025, and the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025.

Among the Bills introduced were three seeking the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and ministers arrested for 30 days on serious criminal charges. These were introduced on Wednesday by Home Minister Amit Shah, triggering acrimonious scenes in the Lok Sabha.

Tempers flared, copies of Bills were torn and flung, and members of the ruling and Opposition alliances came face-to-face when Home Minister Amit Shah moved to introduce the Bills.