NEW DELHI: The opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session descended into a government-versus-opposition showdown on Monday as repeated protests led to multiple adjournments before both the Houses were adjourned for the day.The opposition demanded discussions on the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the alleged embezzlement of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while the government pressed ahead with its legislative business amid the disruptions, according to news agency PTI.This development comes as large number of students and protesters attempted to march towards Parliament following a call by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), but were stopped by police, who used tear gas and carried out a lathi-charge after the crowd tried to breach barricades.
Lok Sabha disrupted from the start
11 am: The Lok Sabha convened at 11 am, but proceedings were disrupted almost immediately as opposition members raised slogans and displayed placards, demanding discussions on the NEET-UG paper leak and the alleged Ram Temple donation scam.Speaker Om Birla objected to members raising slogans while obituary references for six former MPs were being read, calling it an inappropriate precedent. With protests continuing, the House was adjourned till 12 noon.12.00 pm: When the House reassembled at 12 noon, the disruptions continued, forcing another adjournment till 12.30 pm.During the brief sitting, Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace the ordinance increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.12.30 pm: The House met again at 12.30 pm, but repeated appeals by the Chair to allow Zero Hour to function failed to calm protesting MPs. Presiding officer Dilip Saikia adjourned proceedings till 1 pm.At 1 pm: Opposition protests continued. Saikia urged members to return to their seats, saying, “The House is ready for discussions on various issues. But you are not interested. You don’t want to discuss people’s issues. This is not the way.”“You are disrupting the House repeatedly. You are showing banners and posters which is not acceptable,” he added.As protests continued, the House was adjourned till 2 pm.2.00 pm: When the Lok Sabha reconvened at 2 pm, presiding officer Jagdambika Pal said there was adequate quorum to conduct business, although opposition MPs alleged they were being prevented from entering the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju maintained that the House could not function amid continuous disruptions.The House was adjourned again at 2.30 pm as opposition members continued protesting despite appeals to allow proceedings under Rule 377.Adjourned at 3.00 pm: After assembling six times during the day, the Lok Sabha was finally adjourned at around 3 pm and will reconvene at 11 am on Tuesday.
Rajya Sabha also adjourned
11 am: The Rajya Sabha witnessed similar scenes, with opposition members demanding discussions on the same issues. Repeated disruptions prevented normal business, forcing the Upper House to adjourn for the day.It will also reconvene at 11 am on Tuesday.Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath to newly elected members, including senior Congress leader Pawan Khera, BJP MPs Dr Mukeshbhai J. Rathwa, Mahesh Kewat, NPP’s James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma, and BJP’s Prakash Chik Baraik.
PM Modi appeals for productive session
Minutes before Parliament convened, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged MPs to ensure a productive Monsoon Session. “We hope that the monsoon and the Monsoon Session of Parliament are productive… I appeal to all MPs to wholeheartedly participate in proceedings of Monsoon session,” he said.“We are well aware, and the entire world is concerned about the persistent threat of war in various regions. The conflict in West Asia posed a major crisis for countries like India that rely on others for energy. Numerous obstacles and crises arose regarding petrol, diesel, LPG, fertilisers, and chemicals. Despite this, India maintained a growth rate of 7.7 per cent, emerging as the fastest-growing major economy in the world,” he added.The prime minister also took a veiled swipe at leader of opposition in Loka Sabha, Rahul Gandhi while praising the young team behind Skyroot Aerospace’s successful launch of India’s first privately developed orbital rocket.“I am told that the average age of the team working at the Skyroot start-up is just 28 years. It is these young minds who have made this possible. I am not talking about a 56-year-old young man; I am talking about a start-up whose team, with an average age of just 28, has planted India’s flag in the realm of space,” Modi said.
Opposition attacks government
Leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of suppressing democratic protests and demanded accountability over the alleged Ram Temple donation scam.“Lathi-charge on students is an attack on democracy. This government is not capable of staying in power,” Kharge said.“We have also raised the issue of theft of donations (at Ayodhya Ram Temple). Modi sahib should take responsibility because he is the one who created the Trust,” he added.
Priyanka slams police action on protesters
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the Centre over the police action against students and protesters marching towards Parliament, accusing the government of refusing to discuss issues related to the education system while resorting to force.“It’s ridiculous… They are our own children… they are the future of the country. This Parliament belongs to them. It’s no one’s personal fiefdom,” Priyanka Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament House complex.“It is a genuine issue, Rahul ji has been raising this issue for quite some time. We have been saying there should be a discussion as there are problems in the education policy. You are not ready to discuss and fire tear gas at children and beat them up. For what? They are our children,” she added.
Tharoor: Parliament cannot become a notice board
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the government for refusing to allow discussions on key issues. “Parliament is supposed to be the place where we can ventilate the voice of the people,” he said.“It cannot be a notice board for government to announce its bills and get them passed with a rubber stamp.” Questioning the police action against protesters, Tharoor added, “Lathi-charge is not an act of non-violence, it is an act of violence. I don’t understand the logic of it.”
SP chief Akhilesh backs protesting students
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also targeted the government over the alleged NEET paper leak and the handling of student protests.“They are keeping protesters in police stations and beating students outside. What kind of government is this that talks about ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ but doesn’t want to listen to children? Is it a government or is it your ego?” he asked.Questioning the credibility of the examination process, Yadav said, “If the NEET examination happened and there was cheating, who is responsible? What about the credibility?” He also said students protesting for justice should be treated with dignity.
Protests outside Parliament
The political confrontation extended beyond Parliament as protesters led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.Police stopped the march after protesters attempted to breach barricades, using mild force to disperse the crowd. Security around Parliament was tightened, with several entry gates closed and additional personnel deployed.Earlier in the day, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike at the request of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who remains admitted to Safdarjung Hospital after his own hunger strike.The session, which will continue till August 13, is expected to witness intense exchanges as the opposition presses the government on a host of issues ahead of key state elections.