The final week of the Parliament Winter Session, scheduled to run until Friday, December 19, began today with immediate disruptions in both Houses over political remarks made at a recent Congress rally.
Parliament Proceedings and Adjournment
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were both adjourned until 12 noon IST on Monday after a significant uproar from the treasury benches.
- Cause of Ruckus: The ruling party (BJP) demanded an apology from the Congress leadership for alleged slogans and threats made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the party’s rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.
- Initial Business: The Lok Sabha was initially scheduled to take up obituary references for former MPs, followed by the Question Hour, key committee reports, ministerial statements, and legislative business, including the Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025-26.
BJP Demands Apology from Congress Leadership
Senior BJP leaders strongly condemned the alleged remarks and demanded an apology on the floor of the House.
- Kiren Rijiju’s Demand: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought an apology from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Rijiju called the alleged threat to “dig the grave” of the Prime Minister “most unfortunate and tragic,” stressing that political rivals are not enemies.
- JP Nadda’s Statement: BJP President JP Nadda called on Sonia Gandhi to apologize to the nation for the slogans raised at the rally, stating that they reflect the “thinking and mentality” of the Congress party.
Congress Reaction and Key Bills in Focus
- Congress Condemnation: Congress MP Imran Masood publicly condemned the slogans against PM Modi, stating that this “culture does not belong to the Congress.”
- Adjournment Motion: Congress MP Manickam Tagore gave an Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the “severe” pollution in Delhi-NCR.
- Key Legislation: The final week is expected to see the government push for the tabling and passing of several important bills. Bills anticipated to be tabled or discussed include:
- The Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025 (HECI Bill).
- The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill.
- The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (seeking to raise FDI in the sector).
What is the “SIR” Issue?
The Congress rally, branded “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod,” was held to campaign against alleged electoral irregularities, particularly the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress leaders allege that the SIR process has been used “discriminatorily and arbitrarily” to selectively disenfranchise poor, backward, and Dalit voters—communities the party claims are its traditional supporters.