The Lok Sabha was plunged into chaos today as opposition members staged raucous protests demanding an urgent debate on the escalating West Asia crisis, leading to multiple adjournments and the eventual suspension of proceedings for the day.
The acrimony, fuelling fears of a protracted Budget session stalemate, saw Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accuse the government of shielding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged "compromise" with foreign powers. With the no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla left unaddressed, the impasse signalled a deepening rifts over India's foreign policy amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Lok Sabha adjourned amid uproar over West Asia war debate
The second leg of the Budget session kicked off with pandemonium in both Houses. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge tabled a notice under Rule 176, highlighting the crisis's toll on India's energy security, 55 per cent of crude oil imports hail from the region—and the plight of one crore expatriate workers, alongside remittances worth $51 billion annually. Protests erupted from treasury benches as Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan permitted only a suo motu statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, prompting an opposition walkout.
Across in the Lok Sabha, INDIA bloc MPs, brandishing placards and chanting "Narendra Modi, shame!", demanded precedence for the West Asia discussion over other agenda items. The House was first adjourned till noon during Jaishankar's address, then till 3 pm. Upon resumption, presiding MP Jagadambika Pal decried the "immature" disruptions, costing Rs 9 crore daily in taxpayer funds, before adjourning sine die amid unrelenting sloganeering.
Gandhi and allies, including Akhilesh Yadav and K.C. Venugopal, staged a sit-in outside, amplifying calls for accountability on fuel price hikes and economic tremors.
Also read: Govt avoiding West Asia debate to hide PM’s ‘compromise’: Rahul
Govt avoiding West Asia debate to hide PM’s ‘compromise’: Rahul
Outside Parliament, Gandhi levelled explosive charges, alleging the Bharatiya Janata Party-led regime was stonewalling the debate to conceal Modi's "blackmailed compromise" with the US and Israel. "They don't want discussion because questions will arise on how the Prime Minister was compromised," he thundered, linking it to a purported US deal exacerbating stock market volatility and impending economic "devastation".
He mocked Modi for having "fled the House", vowing the opposition would prioritise West Asia before tackling the Speaker's motion: "Fuel prices, economic ruin, these are people's issues."
Govt unlikely to allow debate on West Asia crisis
Treasury benches rebuffed the overtures, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju branding the opposition "irresponsible" for flouting House ethics and holding proceedings "hostage". Insiders suggest the government views the demand as a ploy to derail the session, favouring Jaishankar's briefing as sufficient. Yet, with protests swelling and the crisis claiming Indian lives abroad, the INDIA bloc's resolve hardens, hinting at further disruptions. Legal eagles caution that prolonged logjam could invite judicial scrutiny, as stakeholders plead for dialogue to safeguard national interests in a volatile global theatre.
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