Parliament Monsoon Session: Opposition protests over SIR, PM reply continue, both Houses adjourned | India News No. 1

Proceedings in the Lok Sabha too were adjourned for the day soon after Goyal made a statement on the US tariff announcement amid Opposition’s protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar.

The Upper House, earlier in the day, witnessed three adjournments amid uproar by Opposition MPs over no reply by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the debate on Operation Sindoor in the House; they also raised the SIR issue.

The first adjournment happened soon after the proceedings began at 11 am; the second one when the House met at 12 noon; and the third when the House met again at 2 pm. The Chair adjourned the proceedings till 4.30 pm as Opposition members continued their noisy protests.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Opposition MPs had raised slogans demanding the Prime Minister come to the House, triggering uproar from Trinamool Congress MPs.

“The behaviour of TMC MPs is not right… The way Derek O’Brien is behaving is not right,” Rijiju said.

He said PM Modi had already replied to the debate in the Lok Sabha for one hour and 42 minutes on Tuesday. “He (PM) presented all the facts to the nation through the House. The Home Minister (Amit Shah) is capable of replying to the debate,” Rijiju said.

He said the government has a collective responsibility, and the Opposition does not get to decide who will speak. As soon as Rijiju finished his statement, the Chair adjourned the House till 4.30 pm.

When the House met again at 4.30 pm, Goyal made his statement amid sloganeering by Opposition members. “The government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, exporters, MSMEs and all sections of industry. We will take all necessary steps to secure and advance our national interest,” he said.

The Opposition members continued raising slogans against the SIR and demanding that the Prime Minister come to the House, following which the House was adjourned for the day.

In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla tried to take up Zero Hour but the Opposition members continued to raise slogans. Birla then adjourned the House till 2 pm. When the Lok Sabha reassembled at 2 pm, it could function for only a few minutes. Amid sloganeering by the Opposition members, papers were laid in the House.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad, who was in the Chair, urged the members to go back to their seats. When the protests continued, he adjourned the proceedings till 4 pm. Soon after the House met at 4 pm, Birla called for Goyal to make his statement. As soon as the statement got over, the Opposition MPs rushed to the Well and raised slogans. The Speaker then adjourned the House for the day.

The House, meanwhile, congratulated the scientists for the successful launch of the GSLV rocket that placed an Earth observation satellite, jointly developed by ISRO and NASA.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament in India is often one of the most critical legislative periods of the year. It sets the stage for debates on urgent matters of national interest, government accountability, and policy directions. This year’s Monsoon Session, however, has been dominated by heated Opposition protests over the SIR (Special Investigation Report), repeated calls for government accountability, and a highly anticipated PM reply. The standoff between the treasury benches and the Opposition has grown so intense that both Houses—Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—have repeatedly been adjourned, leaving many important legislative matters in limbo.

Opposition’s Demands Over SIR

The Opposition bloc has been united in its demand for a thorough and transparent discussion on the SIR. They argue that the report, which allegedly points to lapses in governance and accountability, cannot be brushed aside. Members of Parliament across party lines have staged protests inside both Houses, demanding that the government allow a full debate instead of providing selective responses.

For the Opposition, the SIR has become a rallying point. It is not only about the report itself but also about the broader issue of government transparency and accountability. They believe that by pressing hard, they can highlight weaknesses in governance and hold the ruling party responsible in the eyes of the public.

PM’s Reply Under the Spotlight

Amid the uproar, all eyes have been on the PM’s reply. Traditionally, the Prime Minister’s statement during such contentious sessions carries immense weight. It signals the government’s stance and reassures both Parliament and the people. However, Opposition members have accused the PM of not providing a direct or detailed response to the concerns raised in the SIR.

The PM, on his part, has stressed that the government has nothing to hide and that due process is being followed. He highlighted the achievements of his administration, reiterated the government’s commitment to good governance, and urged the Opposition not to politicize every issue. Supporters of the ruling party hailed the PM’s reply as balanced and statesmanlike, while critics dismissed it as evasive and insufficient.

The clash of perceptions around the PM’s reply has only deepened the stalemate in Parliament, making compromise elusive.

Adjournments Disrupt Parliamentary Business

With repeated disruptions and sloganeering, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have faced frequent adjournments. What should have been a session focused on legislative priorities, economic bills, and policy discussions has instead been marred by deadlock.

For the ruling party, this is a frustration because crucial bills—such as those linked to infrastructure development, fiscal policy, and social welfare schemes—are delayed. For the Opposition, however, the adjournments are a tool of protest, a way to demonstrate their dissatisfaction and draw public attention to their concerns.

Historical Context: Opposition vs. Government in Monsoon Sessions

Parliamentary disruptions are not new in India. The Monsoon Session has historically been a battleground for confrontations between the Opposition and the ruling government. From the coal block allocations debate to the 2G spectrum case and GST deliberations, many sessions in the past have seen extended deadlocks.

However, what makes the current session noteworthy is the intensity of protests centered around the SIR and the role of the PM. Unlike in previous sessions where finance or economic reforms were at the heart of disputes, this time the demand for a transparent probe and the PM’s accountability has created an especially polarized atmosphere.

PM’s Leadership Tested

The Monsoon Session has also become a test of the PM’s leadership style. On one hand, he has projected himself as a leader focused on development, economic progress, and India’s global standing. On the other, the Opposition insists that without answering specific concerns around the SIR, such claims remain incomplete.

For the PM, the challenge lies in balancing statesmanship with assertiveness. He cannot afford to appear weak in the face of Opposition protests, but at the same time, he must demonstrate the ability to carry Parliament along in the spirit of democracy. The way he navigates this standoff could have long-term implications for his political image.

Media and Public Perception

Outside Parliament, the media and public are closely following the developments. Television debates, newspaper editorials, and social media trends have amplified the controversy. Many citizens are frustrated with the repeated adjournments, seeing them as a waste of taxpayer money. Others, however, sympathize with the Opposition’s stance, arguing that pressing the government for accountability is an essential part of democracy.

The PM’s words and actions are under constant scrutiny. Every statement he makes during this session is dissected, and every silence interpreted. The narrative of whether the PM has adequately addressed the concerns raised in the SIR will likely influence public opinion in the coming months.

Broader Political Implications

The Monsoon Session is not just about legislation—it is also about setting the political tone ahead of future state elections and even the next general election. The Opposition hopes to use the SIR and the PM’s handling of it as a tool to question the government’s credibility. The ruling party, meanwhile, is determined to project the PM as a strong, decisive leader who is focused on governance rather than distractions.

This clash of strategies has made the session less about consensus and more about positioning. Each side wants to emerge as the moral victor in the eyes of the public, even if that means sacrificing actual legislative progress.

Possible Ways Forward

Despite the deadlock, there are possible ways to break the impasse. The government could agree to a structured debate on the SIR, allowing Opposition members to air their concerns while giving the PM an opportunity to respond in detail. Alternatively, parliamentary committees could be tasked with examining the report in depth, creating a middle ground.

For now, however, neither side seems willing to budge. The Opposition believes that sustained protests will increase pressure, while the government is betting that public fatigue with disruptions will ultimately weaken the Opposition’s stance.

Conclusion

The Monsoon Session of Parliament has once again highlighted the fragile balance between governance and politics in India’s democracy. Opposition protests over the SIR and the PM’s reply have overshadowed legislative business, leading to repeated adjournments and growing frustration among citizens.

At the heart of the issue is not just a report, but the larger question of accountability, transparency, and the role of the PM in addressing public concerns. Whether the government and Opposition find common ground will determine whether this session is remembered as another wasted opportunity or as a turning point in parliamentary engagement.

For now, one thing is certain: the PM remains at the center of the debate, with his leadership, his words, and his actions under intense national and political scrutiny.