Parliament Monsoon Session Day 2: Both Houses Adjourned Till Noon Amid Uproar
- Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon on Day 2 of the Monsoon Session.
- Opposition MPs, led by Congress, protested the police lathi charge on students during a CJP march in Delhi.
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the police action, saying 'they are beating students'.
- The government has not yet responded officially to the allegations of excessive force.
Chaos Marks Second Day of Monsoon Session
The second day of Parliament's Monsoon Session began with chaos on Tuesday as opposition MPs stormed the Well of both Houses, forcing adjournments till noon. The ruling coalition's legislative agenda was stalled almost immediately after the session commenced.
In Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla repeatedly urged members to maintain order, but the din continued. The House was first adjourned for 15 minutes, and later till noon, as slogans drowned out proceedings.
Rajya Sabha witnessed a similar scene. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the Upper House till noon after repeated disruptions.
Kharge Hits Out at Lathi Charge on Students
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was among the first to raise the issue in Rajya Sabha. He demanded a statement from the government on the police action against students of the Chandigarh Judicial Prosecution (CJP) who were protesting in Delhi.
“They are beating students. This is not how a democracy functions,” Kharge said, visibly agitated. He questioned the timing and intensity of the lathi charge, calling it an attack on the right to peaceful protest.
Opposition MPs from several parties, including the DMK, TMC, and AAP, backed Kharge, demanding a discussion under a rule that entails a vote.
Government Yet to Respond to Allegations
As of the time of adjournment, no minister had responded to the allegations in either House. The government's floor managers were seen consulting with leaders, but no official statement has been issued.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was present in Lok Sabha, did not comment on the specific incident when approached by reporters in the corridor. Sources indicate the government may issue a clarification later in the day.
The protest by CJP students relates to demands for judicial reforms and better working conditions. The police action over the weekend drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and human rights groups.
What to Watch Next
Both Houses are expected to reconvene at noon. The government will need to manage the uproar to push through its legislative agenda, which includes bills on data protection and electoral reforms. The opposition, meanwhile, has vowed to continue its protest until a formal apology and statement are made on the police action.