Monsoon Session Opens With Sloganeering, Chaos, Multiple Adjournments

Chaotic Start in Both Houses

Parliament's Monsoon Session opened on Monday with immediate disruptions. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed sloganeering and protests from opposition benches, forcing the presiding officers to adjourn proceedings within minutes of starting.

In the Lok Sabha, members from various opposition parties raised issues ranging from price rise to alleged government inaction on unemployment. Speaker Om Birla repeatedly urged members to maintain order, but the din persisted, leading to the first adjournment before the Question Hour could begin.

The Rajya Sabha saw a similar scene. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar tried to call for the laying of papers, but opposition members continued shouting slogans. The House was adjourned within 10 minutes of assembling.

PM Modi's '56-Year-Old Youth' Jibe

Before the session began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made remarks that were widely interpreted as a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Speaking to mediapersons outside Parliament, PM Modi said he hoped the Monsoon Session would be productive, but added: 'I am not talking about some 56-year-old youth.'

The comment appeared to reference Rahul Gandhi's age and his frequent criticism of the government. Rahul Gandhi turned 56 this year. The Prime Minister did not name anyone directly, but the remark was immediately picked up by ruling party members who used it to taunt the opposition.

Opposition Protests Over Multiple Issues

The opposition parties, including the Congress, TMC, and Left, had planned to raise several key issues during the session. These include the recent spike in fuel prices, alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam, and the situation in Manipur, which has seen ethnic violence over the past year.

Congress MPs were seen holding placards and chanting slogans demanding a discussion on price rise. TMC members raised the issue of the alleged attack on their party workers in West Bengal. The Left parties focused on the plight of farmers and the unemployment crisis.

The government, for its part, has expressed willingness to discuss all issues but insists that the opposition must allow the House to function. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to all parties to cooperate, saying the government is ready for debate.

Repeated Adjournments Mark the Day

The first day of the session was marked by a series of adjournments. The Lok Sabha was adjourned first till noon, then again till 2 PM, and finally for the day around 4 PM. The Rajya Sabha followed a similar pattern, with the Chair adjourning the House multiple times as the ruckus continued.

This disruption on the opening day has raised concerns about the productivity of the Monsoon Session. The government has listed several important bills for passage, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill. With the opposition determined to press its demands, the session may see further turbulence in the coming days.

What to watch: Both Houses are expected to meet on Tuesday. The government will likely try to build consensus through a meeting of party whips, but the opposition's resolve to keep pressure on the government over multiple issues suggests a stormy session ahead.