Opposition protests force adjournment of Lok Sabha, PM Modi’s reply on President’s Address deferred
Lok Sabha was adjourned till 11 am on Thursday after Opposition MPs created a ruckus and raised slogans near Well of the House soon after it reconvened at 5 pm
PTC Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha could not take place on Wednesday after repeated disruptions by Opposition members led to the adjournment of the House.
The session witnessed two adjournments amid escalating protests, triggered initially by a dispute over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s proposed remarks referencing an unpublished “memoir” of former Army Chief General M M Naravane. The situation further deteriorated following comments made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, intensifying the standoff between the Treasury benches and the Opposition.
During the proceedings, Dubey objected to Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to cite an unpublished book and claimed he possessed several published works critical of the Gandhi family. As he began referring to those books, the Chair, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, intervened and reminded him of Rule 349, which prohibits members from reading from books, newspapers, or documents unrelated to official House business.
Despite the warning, Dubey continued, prompting strong objections from Opposition MPs. The protests soon turned chaotic, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House once again.
Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha proceedings had already been suspended till 2 pm following vociferous Opposition protests over the same issue. Subsequently, Congress MPs staged a demonstration outside Parliament, demanding that Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak during the discussion on the President’s Address.
Rahul Gandhi has alleged that he was deliberately prevented from participating in the debate. He had also written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla a day earlier after eight Opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the Winter Session.
Inside the House, members of Opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Samajwadi Party (SP), entered the well carrying placards and raising slogans as soon as proceedings resumed. The situation grew tense as MPs from both sides engaged in heated exchanges.
Senior BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur, Kiren Rijiju, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, were seen attempting to pacify protesting members and restore order. Congress MPs Deepender Hooda and Jyotimani approached Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju with placards, further escalating the confrontation.
Following the adjournment, women MPs from the Congress and other Opposition parties moved towards the Treasury benches and came close to the Prime Minister’s seat, protesting against Nishikant Dubey’s remarks. Ministers, including Ashwini Vaishnaw, tried to defuse the situation before Deepender Hooda intervened and urged members to step back.
Reacting to the developments, BJP president and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, J P Nadda, criticised the Opposition on social media, saying political parties should focus on credibility and public trust. He remarked that the Opposition’s failure to build credibility over the past 11 years was deeply disappointing.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Masood accused the Prime Minister of avoiding Parliament and alleged that the government had abandoned accountability on key national issues. He claimed the ruling dispensation was resorting to authoritarian tactics and demanded answers from the Centre.