The Lok Sabha witnessed repeated sloganeering by Opposition members, who continued to press for a discussion on the alleged Ayodhya donation theft
New Delhi:Parliament remained deadlocked on Wednesday as Opposition protests over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and alleged police action against students disrupted proceedings in both Houses. Amid the uproar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Left parties of being "anti-Ram" and demanded that they apologise to the nation.
The Lok Sabha witnessed repeated sloganeering by Opposition members, who continued to press for a discussion on the alleged Ayodhya donation theft. As disruptions persisted, the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, which replaces the colonial-era 1891 law, was passed by a voice vote without a debate. The House was later adjourned for the day.
Replying to the protests, Rijiju said the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Left were "anti-Ram". Referring to Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, he remarked that although Venugopal was "a good person", he had failed to control his party MPs.
The Rajya Sabha also witnessed protests, with INDIA bloc members staging a walkout over the alleged police action against students and the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple. The Opposition also demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in the House.
Despite the walkout, the Rajya Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 by a voice vote. The legislation increases the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37. The Bill had already been passed by the Lok Sabha on August 3.
The Opposition staged the walkout after Deputy Chairman Harivansh did not allow senior Congress leader Vivek Tankha to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood during the discussion on the Bill.
Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said the increase in the number of judges was aimed at reducing the mounting backlog of cases and improving access to justice. He said the Chief Justice of India had informed the Prime Minister that rising case filings required an increase in judicial strength.
Meghwal also said the government was committed to judicial independence and indicated that the country was likely to have its first woman Chief Justice of India soon. He noted that Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Meghalaya and Patna High Courts were currently headed by women Chief Justices.
During the debate, several Opposition members raised concerns over inadequate representation of women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and minorities in the higher judiciary. Trinamool Congress MP Menaka Guruswamy argued that merely increasing the number of Supreme Court judges would not address structural issues within the judicial system.
AAP's Sanjay Singh and RJD's Sanjay Yadav questioned the representation of deprived sections in the higher judiciary, while RJD sought greater transparency in judicial appointments. Rijiju clarified that appointments were recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium and that the government only issued the notifications.
Congress member Vivek Tankha questioned the government's decision to promulgate an ordinance to increase the number of judges shortly before the Supreme Court's summer vacation, while CPM, BJP and DMK members urged the government to increase the number of judges in High Courts and subordinate courts to reduce pendency. DMK member P. Wilson also renewed the demand for a Supreme Court Bench in Chennai.
The Monsoon Session continued to witness repeated disruptions, with Opposition members repeatedly raising issues beyond the listed legislative business, forcing both Houses to adjourn after completing limited business.
