Parliament Monsoon Session Heads for Washout Amid Protests

The BJP and Opposition MPs staged high-voltage counter-protests at the Makar Dwar steps inside the Parliament complex on the last day of the session.

The BJP staged a protest against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the Congress party's alleged lack of acknowledgement of the ongoing protests in Jharkhand.

The protest was followed by controversial sloganeering by Opposition MPs, led by Congress MP Pawan Khera, who were seen carrying a toy monkey and raising slogans targeting the government.

TMC senior MP Saugata Roy said that it was the government's responsibility to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament and alleged that the government had failed to address the Opposition's concerns.

"The opposition does not want to hear the Home Minister's speech; they do not wish to listen to a long lecture. We wanted the government to clarify who ordered the pellet gun firing, but that explanation was not provided. He is a very powerful figure, yet he failed to run the House; let us see what happens now," he said.

"The entire government is responsible. It is not our responsibility to run the House; it is theirs. It is their job to persuade and convince the opposition," Roy added.

Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla blamed the government for the lack of accountability and the disruption of parliamentary proceedings.

"There is no accountability whatsoever. On the very last day, he (HM Amit Shah) stands up and declares, 'I am ready.' So, what were you doing for the past 20 days?" she said.

Samajwadi Party MP Javed Ali Khan also questioned the government's decision to offer a discussion only shortly before the session's conclusion.

The Treasury benches, meanwhile, staged a parallel protest and blamed Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for disrupting parliamentary proceedings.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh accused Gandhi of treating Parliament as his personal domain and defended the government's record on several issues, including the abolition of triple talaq, passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act and abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.

With both sides remaining firm on their positions, the Monsoon Session is headed for a total washout, with the House likely to be adjourned sine die.