Parliament adjourns for the day amid opposition’s protest over various issues

New Delhi, July 22
Both the Houses of Parliament have been adjourned for the day following opposition parties’ protest over various issues including NEET paper leak case and student protests.
When the the Lok Sabha assembled after the second adjournment at 2 PM, the opposition again started sloganeering over the NEET issue. Amid uproar, the House passed a resolution to suspend Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee for the rest of the Monsoon Session. Presiding Officer Krishna Prasad Tenneti said Kalyan Banerjee made objectionable and unparliamentary remarks targeting women MPs, which was formally brought to the notice of the Chair. He termed the incident objectionable and against the dignity and decorum of the House.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the resolution, which was passed by voice vote. As the ruckus continued, the Presiding Officer adjourned the House till tomorrow.
Earlier, when the Lok Sabha met for the day at 11 AM, Speaker Om Birla tried to take up the Question Hour, but the opposition members raised the issue of paper leak and student protest. Mr Birla urged the opposition to cooperate in running the House, but the opposition members continued with their protest, which led to adjournment of the Lok Sabha till 12 Noon. When the Lok Sabha reassembled after the first adjournment at 12 noon, the opposition protested over the paper leak issue. KC Venugopal of Congress and Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party raised the issue of student protests. Speaker Om Birla urged the opposition to cooperate for the smooth functioning of the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government is fully prepared for a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue. He said that the government is ready for discussion. The Minister said, any discussion in the House must be conducted under established rules. Mr Rijiju emphasized that the government wants a meaningful and constructive discussion involving all sides, keeping in mind the future of the youth of the country.

Speaker Om Birla said the government is ready for discussion on the issue and everyone must come together for deciding the timing of the discussion. As the pandemonium continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 PM.
The Rajya Sabha also witnessed the similar scenes. When the House reassembled after the third adjournment at 3 PM, the Opposition parties protested over the NEET and other issues. Deputy Chairman Harivansh said that the government is ready for the discussion on the NEET issue and the opposition should cooperate in running the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress party of creating obstacles in conducting the discussion in the House by imposing new conditions. He said, initially, the Congress party had expressed its willingness for a discussion and had conveyed the same to the Chair. Mr Rijiju alleged that the Congress is now attempting to avoid the discussion by introducing fresh conditions and raising new issues. The Minister said, this sends a wrong message to the public, especially when the government has clearly stated that it is ready for a discussion on the matter. Mr. Rijiju added that bringing up separate issues and attaching conditions only delays proceedings and hinders constructive debate. Tiruchi Shiva of DMK said that the matter should be discussed in the House. Amid uproar, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House till tomorrow.
Earlier, when the Upper House met after the second adjournment at 2 PM, the opposition again started sloganeering over the NEET issue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government has been ready for discussion since day one of the Monsoon Session.

Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda slammed the opposition’s conduct, calling it highly irresponsible and against democratic values. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government remains committed to transparency and accountability, and continues to take decisions in the interest of citizens.
Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister. He said without the resignation the discussion will not happen. Amid uproar, Mr Harivansh adjourned the House till 3 PM.
When the proceedings began at 11 AM, Chairman CP Radhakrishnan expressed grief over the loss of lives during a tragic accident at the under-construction tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim. He said, the rescue operations are currently underway at the site. The House conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. The Rajya Sabha also observed silence as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the incident.
Mr Radhakrishnan also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, as well as scientists, engineers, and technicians for the launch of the first hydrogen-powered train. He said that India has achieved a significant milestone with the commencement of operations of the country’s first indigenously developed hydrogen-powered train. The Rajya Sabha Chairman said, the ten-coach train has begun operations on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana, marking a major step towards clean, sustainable, and technologically advanced rail transportation. Mr Radhakrishanan expressed confidence that this achievement will strengthen country’s journey towards sustainable green mobility and the use of alternative green energy for the benefit of humanity. Leader of the Opposition in the House Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of student protests over the NEET issue. But, due to uproar by the opposition and treasury benches, the Upper House was adjourned till 12 noon.
When the House reassembled after the first adjournment at 12 noon, the opposition again started sloganeering over the NEET issue. Deputy Chairman Harivansh tried to take up the Question Hour. He emphasized that Question Hour is an important part of parliamentary proceedings. The Deputy Chairman noted that after fifty years of Independence, a resolution was adopted in the House to ensure that Question Hour is conducted under all circumstances. He said, if the House fails to stand by its own commitment, it will send a wrong message to the public. Mr Harivansh highlighted that a great deal of effort and public money goes into preparing answers to the questions raised by members. Despite his repeated appeal, the Opposition Members did not pay heed to the Deputy Chairman’s advice, which led to adjournment of the House till 2 PM.