Parliament Winter Session: Opposition Protests Stall Both Houses as Adani Row, Manipur Issue Dominate
After a washout in the first week, the Winter Session of Parliament resumed on Monday morning but saw little progress as both Houses were adjourned amid Opposition protests over the Adani controversy and the Manipur situation. Proceedings are scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday.
In the Lok Sabha, the session began amidst continuous sloganeering by Opposition members. During Question Hour, Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary addressed a question on the Centre of Excellence for Skill Development. However, chants of “We want justice” echoed through the House.
Speaker Om Birla adjourned the session until noon, urging protesting MPs to allow the House to function and return to their seats. Meanwhile, floor leaders from the INDIA bloc, following a meeting at the Congress Parliamentary Party office chaired by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, called on the Speaker to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Opposition Protests; Chairman Dhankhar Cites Murphy’s Law
In the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were disrupted within 15 minutes of starting, leading to an adjournment until noon. However, as the House reconvened, Opposition members raised issues including bribery allegations against the Adani Group and the recent violence in Sambal and Manipur. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar firmly stated that none of these discussions would go on record.
Dhankhar also dismissed 20 notices submitted under Rule 267, including eight seeking a debate on the U.S. indictment of the Adani Group. He explained that the notices did not warrant consideration. Reflecting on the persistent disruptions since the Winter Session began on December 25, Dhankhar likened the situation in Parliament to Murphy’s Law, which posits, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”
“It seems there is a deliberate algorithm at work to bring Murphy’s Law to life in this august House, thereby obstructing the proper functioning of Parliament. We are achieving the exact opposite of what our Constitution envisions,” Dhankhar remarked.
As the Question Hour began, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva attempted to raise certain issues. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar responded, stating he would address them only if members returned to their seats and upheld decorum. However, with Opposition members persisting in their uproar, the Chairman ultimately adjourned the House for the day.
Chairman Appeals for Parliamentary Decorum, Cites Constitutional Duty
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar made an earnest appeal to the Opposition, invoking the framers of the Constitution to allow Parliament to function. “We find ourselves achieving precisely the antithesis of what our Constitution ordains,” he said. “In reverence to the framers of our Constitution and the innumerable patriots who made the supreme sacrifice, I implore this House to permit me to proceed with the business listed on today’s agenda.”
Coastal Shipping Bill Introduced Amid Opposition Protests
When the Lok Sabha reconvened at noon, MP Sandhya Ray, presiding over the session, invited Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal to introduce the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024. The proposed legislation aims to boost coastal trade and enhance national security by promoting the use of Indian-flagged vessels. Despite ongoing protests from Opposition members, Sonowal successfully introduced the Bill, one of five legislative measures slated for the Winter Session.
Amid loud sloganeering, the Chair continued with the scheduled agenda, allowing members to table documents as per the List of Business. However, with protests showing no signs of abating, Ray eventually adjourned the House for the day.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was scheduled to brief the House on India’s relations with China, particularly in light of the recent agreement on the Line of Actual Control. However, this briefing is now expected to take place on Tuesday.
