Parliament Monsoon Session Opens Amid Protests, Adjourned for Second Day

The monsoon session of Parliament began on a turbulent note Tuesday, with protests on Parliament streets spilling into the House. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day after opposition MPs staged a sustained uproar, demanding a discussion on police action against student demonstrators.

The disruptions marked the second consecutive day of paralysis, following Monday's adjournment. The government accused the opposition of obstructing legislative business, while opposition parties said they were raising a legitimate issue of police excess.

Chaos Outside, Uproar Inside

Hundreds of student protesters from the Combined Justice Platform (CJP) had gathered outside Parliament, calling for a rollback of what they termed a crackdown on peaceful demonstrations. The protest turned chaotic as police resorted to baton-charge and detained several students. Visuals of the scuffle were widely shared on social media, further inflaming tensions.

Inside the House, opposition MPs waved copies of news reports and shouted slogans, demanding a statement from the Home Minister. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha repeatedly urged order, but the din forced an adjournment within minutes of the session beginning. The Rajya Sabha followed suit, with Chairman adjourning the House for the day.

NEET Row Adds to the Turmoil

The protests are also linked to the ongoing controversy over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Student groups have alleged irregularities in the examination process, demanding a re-test. The government has denied any systemic flaws and accused the opposition of politicising the issue.

Opposition leaders, however, argued that the police action against students was an attack on democratic dissent. Congress MPs said they would not allow the House to function until the government addressed the issue. The ruling party countered, saying the opposition was running away from debate on key legislative bills.

No End in Sight

With both sides digging in, the prospects for the remainder of the monsoon session remain uncertain. The government has listed 25 bills for passage, including key economic legislation. Parliamentary affairs ministers have appealed for cooperation, but opposition parties have indicated they will persist until their demands are met.

Officials have not confirmed whether any mediation is underway. The Speaker is expected to hold consultations with party whips late Tuesday to find a way forward. For now, Parliament remains stalled, and the protests outside show no signs of ebbing.

What to watch: Whether the government agrees to a discussion on the police action under a rule that allows voting, and if student groups continue their agitation, could determine how much legislative business gets done this session.