The Monsoon Session of Parliament is in full swing, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah attending the proceedings. Vande Mataram was played in the Lok Sabha before the debates began, setting a solemn tone for the day.
In the Rajya Sabha, opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and JP Nadda engaged in a heated spar over a purification ritual that was performed in Uttarakhand. The debate highlighted differing views on religious customs and regional governance.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die as the centre and opposition faced a standoff. The government is expected to propose a sine‑die adjournment at 11 AM to end the session.
Amit Shah had offered a debate on Thursday, but it is unlikely that he will face Rahul Gandhi in the house today, as the opposition has rejected the proposal.
Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and Manish Tewari moved adjournment motions in the Lok Sabha. Tagore sought to discuss alleged theft of temple donations, while Tewari focused on the contours of a new anti‑defection law.
Opposition MPs, led by Congress MP Pawan Khera, staged a protest inside the Parliament complex with a toy monkey, chanting, "56 inch ka chhota bandar, jaldi aao sadan ke andar." The symbolic act drew attention to their grievances.
The Monsoon Session is set to conclude on August 13, but the house has seen repeated adjournments over the past days. Protests have centred on police action against student demonstrations and the theft of Ram Temple donations.