New Delhi: Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day on Monday as opposition protests over the Adani bribery allegations, violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, and other issues disrupted proceedings.
In the Lok Sabha, opposition MPs rushed to the Well of the House during both sessions, raising slogans and demanding debates. Speaker Om Birla’s appeals to allow Question Hour went unheeded, forcing an initial adjournment till noon. When the House reconvened, protests continued, with opposition members targeting the Adani indictment and Sambhal violence. Despite the chaos, the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, was introduced by Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Deputy Speaker Sandhya Ray later adjourned proceedings for the day, urging MPs to prioritize voters' concerns.
Earlier, opposition leaders, including Congress' K C Venugopal, DMK's T R Baalu, and SP's Dharmendra Yadav, were seen discussing their demands. Despite negotiations, the session was again marred by repeated interruptions. Protests have stalled the Lok Sabha for several days, with no major business conducted last week.
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar dismissed 20 notices under Rule 267, including eight concerning allegations of a $265 million bribe paid by the Adani Group, which the conglomerate has denied. Other notices highlighted violence in Manipur, Delhi crime rates, and flood relief for Wayanad. Dhankhar urged MPs to uphold decorum, equating the dysfunction to Murphy’s Law, but his appeals were ignored, and the Upper House was adjourned by noon.
The Adani Group maintains that Gautam Adani and others have not been charged under U.S. law. However, the opposition has intensified demands for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the allegations.
Prolonged disruptions have overshadowed legislative priorities, with key bills and debates pending in the Winter Session, which began on November 25.
