Stormy Start to Monsoon Session: Lok Sabha Adjourned Twice Amid Opposition Uproar

The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on Monday with a stormy start, as the Opposition INDIA bloc mounted a united offensive against the Modi government over a series of pressing national and international concerns, ranging from the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor to alleged electoral irregularities in Bihar, the Air India AI-171 crash, and former US President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering an Indo-Pak ceasefire.

Opposition Demands PM’s Presence, Alleges Suppression in House

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accused the government of silencing Opposition voices in Parliament. “The Defence Minister and others from the government are allowed to speak, but the Opposition is not. As LoP, it is my right to speak, but I am not allowed. This is the new approach,” he told reporters. Gandhi also pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the House, despite demands for a discussion.

Congress MP K. Suresh echoed the sentiment, stating, “The government must provide space to the Opposition. There are national and international concerns the people want addressed. Instead, ministers are silent, and debates are denied.”

Congress MP Jebi Mather added, “The INDIA alliance had called for a special session during a national crisis, but we are still waiting for real answers. The government deflects instead of engaging on serious issues.”

High Decibel Protest Over Pahalgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor

The House was adjourned multiple times, first till 12 PM and later till 2 PM, amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs demanding an immediate discussion on the June Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, and the government's subsequent military response, Operation Sindoor.

Several Congress MPs including B. Manickam Tagore, Randeep Surjewala, and KC Venugopal submitted Adjournment and Suspension of Business notices under Rule 267 in both Houses seeking urgent discussion. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the Prime Minister's presence during debates on the matter, while calling out the government’s refusal to take the Opposition into confidence.

Kharge also flagged Trump’s repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, asking, “We want to know what exactly happened. What was agreed? And why is Parliament being kept in the dark?”

In response, BJP President JP Nadda assured that a full debate on Operation Sindoor would be allowed, though no timeline was given.

Government Dismisses Protests, Accuses Opposition of Disruption

Ahead of the session, BJP MPs Jagdambika Pal and Anurag Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Opposition. Pal accused them of lacking "real issues" and attempting to disrupt Parliament for political mileage. “Rahul Gandhi keeps blaming EVMs and now the voter list in Bihar. It’s all diversion. They can question the government, but instead they waste public money,” Pal said.

Anurag Thakur claimed the NDA government had always been open to discussion, saying, “In the last 11 years, we’ve debated every issue raised by both sides. It is the Opposition that avoids real debate.”

Parliamentary Business: 17 Bills, Manipur, Income-Tax, and More

Despite the initial disruption, the government has listed 17 legislative items for the 21 sittings scheduled in the session. Key items include:

• Debate on the Goa Scheduled Tribes constituency readjustment bill

• Extension of President’s Rule in Manipur

• Supriya Sule to table the Select Committee report on the Income-Tax Bill, 2025

• Ministry-wise reports to be tabled by various Union ministers

• Scheduled obituary references and birthday greetings to MPs

The session also comes amid heightened concern over aviation safety, following the AI-171 crash and reports of technical lapses in Boeing 787 Dreamliners, prompting expected Opposition scrutiny of DGCA audits and regulatory failures.

Speaker Om Birla Appeals for Decorum and Dialogue

In a message on social media, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged MPs to uphold the dignity of Parliament, calling it the "sacred temple of democracy." He emphasized the need for constructive dialogue, unity, and public welfare, urging all parties to ensure smooth proceedings.

What Lies Ahead

The Monsoon Session, scheduled from July 21 to August 21, has already shown signs of deepening conflict between the ruling NDA and the INDIA bloc. While the BJP has projected confidence and control, the Opposition is unlikely to relent on key issues like national security, transparency, and governance failures.

With the 2026 General Elections on the horizon, this session may very well serve as a political litmus test for both sides—inside and outside the House.

Also Read: Monsoon Session of Parliament Begins Tomorrow, Key Bills on Agenda