The opening day of Lok Sabha's Monsoon Session went haywire on Monday, with the Opposition refusing to let up pressure for an immediate discussion on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack.
The non-stop sloganeering resulted in the House being adjourned twice — first until noon and then until 2:00 p.m.
In the midst of the disruptions, the central government asserted that it was willing to discuss all issues raised by the Opposition. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke in the House, reiterating the government's willingness to have a full-fledged debate on national security.
I assure the parliamentarians that whatever debate they wish on security issues — however long — we are fully prepared to engage, whenever the Speaker allots time," Singh said in reply to criticism for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unavailability during a period when the Opposition was asking for a debate on the Pahalgam attack.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also spoke about the interruptions, stating that the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) would convene at 2:30 p.m. to decide on the list of agenda matters to be taken up during the session.
“In the all-party meeting, everyone agreed that maximum discussion should take place in this session. The government is ready, but the Opposition MPs are protesting in the Well of the House. This kind of protest on the first day of the session is inappropriate. If someone wants to discuss something, they should do so according to the rules,” Rijiju said.
The agitations started in the morning, and Speaker Om Birla had to adjourn proceedings until noon. When the House reopened and agitations went on, Jagdambika Pal, who was acting in Birla's absence, was compelled to adjourn the session once again until 2:00 p.m.
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