m. over protests Updated - August 12, 2026 12:21 pm IST Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts the proceedings of the House during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Home News India Both Houses adjourned till 2 p.m. over protests Updated - August 12, 2026 12:21 pm IST Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts the proceedings of the House during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday. | Speaking to the reporters, he said, the government is ready for a discussion on all aspects of the students’ protests related to the NEET issue. Meanwhile, minutes after the House proceedings began, Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 2 p.m. over protests from the Opposition. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla told protesting Opposition members that even if their approach and thoughts differ from the ruling front, the country wants the House to function. However, with the Opposition unrelenting, he adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned in pre-lunch session without transacting any business following an uproar over BJP MP Sushmita Dev’s alleged derogatory remarks against CPM’s John Brittas.Report of an inquiry committee which invested allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma -- against whom removal proceedings were initiated over the alleged discovery of unaccounted for cash from his official residence -- will be placed before the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (August 12, 2026).Follow the live updates hereAugust 12, 2026 12:21 Govt is likely to bring an amended FCRA Bill in Lok Sabha while simultaneously moving a resolution to send it to Joint Committee of Parliamentrajya sabhaAugust 12, 2026 12:20 Inquiry report on Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma tabled in Rajya SabhaThe report of an inquiry committee which investigated allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma -- against whom removal proceedings were initiated over the alleged discovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence -- was tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.Secretary General P.C. Mody tabled the two-volume report (English and Hindi versions) along with oral and documentary evidence recorded during the course of the investigation.The three-member probe panel had submitted its findings to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in May.The Speaker had constituted the inquiry committee on August 12, 2025, to probe the alleged discovery of wads of cash from the judge’s Delhi bungalow.According to the list of business of the Lok Sabha for Wednesday, the secretary general of the Lower House will “lay” the two volumes of the report along with oral evidence in the House.-PTIoutside parliamentAugust 12, 2026 12:16 Amit Shah says Opposition is not allowing Parliament to function in either HouseSpeaking to the reporters outside the Parliament Complex, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, says, “Words like ‘missing’ and ‘fugitives’ are terms that have only recently begun to be heard in India’s public and parliamentary discourse. Ever since the Parliament session began, I have been coming regularly and sitting in my chamber. But the Opposition is not allowing Parliament to function in either House. So, what is the point of anyone going inside when the proceedings are not being allowed to run? He says as far as the issue of discussion is concerned, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has made it very clear that the government is ready for a discussion on all aspects of the students’
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts the proceedings of the House during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi. Photo: Sansad TV via ANI Expressing anguish over repeated disruption of proceedings, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) asked the government and the Opposition to arrive at a common ground so that the House can debate on key Bills that bring far-reaching changes in the country.Making a statement in the House amid noisy Opposition protests, Mr. Birla said the government has agreed to the Opposition's demand on a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the police action here against students protesting against the NEET paper leak on July 20.Mr. Birla said other issues raised by the Opposition can also be discussed, provided the House functions without disruptions.He said the government has to run the House and the Opposition and Treasury benches have to arrive at a common ground and engage in constructive discussion."I feel anguished when the House does not function," Mr. Birla said, and asked Opposition members not to display placards inside the House as it is against parliamentary norms.Also read: Parliament monsoon session LIVE updatesSince the Monsoon Session began on July 20, the Lok Sabha could not complete the Question Hour and several Bills were passed amid din without a debate.Mr. Birla said that the Question Hour is very important as it helps members hold the government accountable and also brings transparency in the functioning of the executive. The Speaker underlined that he has already issued directions stating that only listed questions will be asked during the Question Hour. Question Hour is held between 11 a.m. and 12 noon in the Lok Sabha."The people of the country also want to see discussions in Parliament," Mr. Birla said.Mr. Birla's fresh appeal to opposition came a day after the government had said the Opposition should not run away from debate and listen to the home minister without disruptions.But the Opposition has insisted that the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya should also be discussed.As the stalemate continued on Tuesday, Mr. Birla adjourned the proceedings till 2 p.m.Separately, NDA members staged a protest outside the main entrance of Parliament against the police action on protestors in Jharkhand. They also questioned the 'silence' of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the police action in Jharkhand and accused him of changing goal post at a time when the government has agreed for a response of Home Minister Shah on the police action on protesting students at Jantar Mantar here. Published - August 11, 2026 12:41 pm IST
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. | Amid speculation that the government could convene a three-day session after Independence Day to push through the women’s reservation Bill and the delimitation Bill, Mr. Rijiju told The Hindu that “there is no such proposal”.Sources said Mr. Rijiju did not raise any proposal to extend the ongoing Monsoon Session or convene a Special Session during the nearly 50-minute meeting with Mr. Gandhi. Instead, he sought the Congress leader’s views on the party’s stand on delimitation, they said. According to sources, Mr. Gandhi conveyed to Mr. Rijiju that a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on the police action against students who protested against the NEET paper leak and a discussion on the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were non-negotiable if the House was to function. The Congress leaders also reiterated their opposition to any constitutional amendment to carry out the delimitation exercise, sources added.The meeting, held in Mr. Gandhi’s Parliament office, was attended by Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.The government’s outreach came on a day when Opposition MPs held a symbolic march within the Parliament complex, questioning Mr. Shah’s continued absence from the House. Both Houses witnessed repeated disruptions before being adjourned for the day.The Wednesday (August 3) meeting was the second between Mr. Rijiju and Mr. Gandhi in the past 10 days. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister had also spoken to the Congress leader over the telephone on Tuesday (August 4) night as part of the government’s efforts to secure Opposition cooperation during the remainder of the Monsoon Session.Sources said Mr. Shah was expected to reply to the debate when the FCRA Bill comes up for discussion and passage. “The LoP has made it very clear that they cannot bring the FCRA Bill in this form,” Mr. Venugopal told reporters after the meeting.“Now you see, the mood of Narendra Modi will change within a minute. If the Indian Opposition says something, he will not listen, but this kind of diktat is coming from foreign country, they will now...,” he added, when asked about U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore’s social media post criticising the FCRA.The Bill is considered contentious because it empowers a government-appointed authority to take over foreign-funded assets of organisations whose FCRA registration ceases, a provision that the Opposition says gives the Centre sweeping powers over NGOs and religious institutions.However, there was no clarity on whether the delimitation Bill would be introduced during the current session, which is scheduled to conclude on August 13. Sources also ruled out, for now, the possibility of a Special Session immediately after Independence Day.The government is understood to be assessing the political support available for reviving the delimitation Bill, a Constitution amendment Bill requiring a two-thirds majority in Parliament. It could not muster the required numbers when it attempted to move the legislation during the Budget Session.Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, the Lok Sabha has failed to transact Question Hour even once because of repeated disruptions. Five Bills have been passed without debate as the Opposition has pressed for discussions on the NEET paper leak, the police action against protesting students and the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while demanding statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Shah. Published - August 06, 2026 12:22 am IST
Lok Sabha proceedings under way during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. File | Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha is expected to discuss the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Friday (July 31, 2026). The Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on Wednesday (July 29, 2026). Opposition members belonging to the INDIA bloc walked out of the House before the reply by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh to the seven-hour debate. The DMK did not walk out, but moved amendments against the Bill, which were defeated. Mr. Thakur submitted the notice to Speaker Om Birla against Mr. Gandhi for the “use of unparliamentary and derogatory language and levelling grave and unsubstantiated allegations” against Home Minister Amit Shah.Follow LIVE updates here:July 31, 2026 10:19 Parliament passes paper leak Bill as Opposition walks out of Rajya SabhaParliament passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, after the Rajya Sabha too cleared it on Thursday (July 30, 2026). The Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on Wednesday (July 29, 2026). Opposition members belonging to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) walked out of the House before the reply by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh to the seven-hour debate. The Upper House considered the Bill after the government listed it as supplementary agenda.Parliament passes paper leak Bill as Opposition walks out of Rajya SabhaRajya Sabha passes the Public Examinations Bill amid opposition protests over NEET paper leaks and demands for accountability. Published - July 31, 2026 10:19 am IST
An image from the Jantar Mantar protest | “The protection, however, shall not extend to persons having criminal antecedents, as mandated in the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court mentioned above,” it said, citing a verdict dated July 28. “Government of NCT of Delhi does not propose to take any further adverse action against the individuals involved in the protests, and the matter shall be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account,” the order said. However, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood clarified in a statement that this relief will not apply to individuals who already have criminal cases registered against them or those who indulged in violence, vandalism, or any other unlawful activities under the guise of the protest. “Such persons will face action strictly in accordance with the law. The government fully respects the democratic right to peaceful expression, but no leniency will be shown towards those who disrupt law and order or engage in violent activities,” Mr. Sood said. The CJP had said that the government’s agreement was to withdraw cases against “all protesters” and not take any action against them in the future in relation to the protests. On Saturday (July 25, 2026), the CJP called off its 36-day protest after the Central government agreed to its three main demands, including the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister. The other two demands were withdrawal of cases against all protesters and no future action against them, as well as compensation to families whose children died by suicide due to the NEET paper leak. On Monday (July 27, 2026) the CJP warned of fresh protests, accusing the Centre of violating its assurance that no punitive action would be taken against protesters. Later in the evening, the CJP said that West Bengal, Assam and Bihar had announced to withdraw FIRs. Published - July 30, 2026 05:47 pm IST
BJP MP Anurag Thakur. File | Mr. Thakur submitted the notice to Speaker Om Birla against Mr. Gandhi for the “use of unparliamentary and derogatory language and levelling grave and unsubstantiated allegations” against Home Minister Amit Shah.Parliament Monsoon Session Day 9 LIVEIn the three-page notice, he requested the Speaker to refer this matter to the Privilege Committee for a detailed enquiry and appropriate action, including a direction to Mr. Gandhi to tender an unconditional apology to the House and to Mr. Shah.Referring to the proceedings of the House on Wednesday (July 29, 2026), when the debate on the anti-paper leak Bill was taking place, he said Mr. Gandhi violated Rule 352 while narrating a purported conversation with protesting students.On Wednesday (July 29, 2026), participating in the debate on The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill-2026, Mr. Gandhi had launched a scathing attack on the Government in the Lok Sabha over the students’ protest in the capital last week drawing sharp rebuttals from the ruling NDA.He could not complete his speech due to the protests and objections from the treasury benches even as a substantial part of the address was removed from the records.He had begun by taking an indirect dig at the BJP and its core supporters by referring to three categories — students, those who think they know everything and pretend to be God, and the “andhbhakt” (blind believers) who believes the second category is God.As the protests continued from the ruling side, Mr. Gandhi then trained his guns on the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, claiming he was not present in the Lok Sabha because he was “scared”. The Congress leader made certain allegations against the Home Minister which were vehemently denied by the ruling side.The BJP accused Mr Gandhi of telling a “bundle of lies”, and demanded that he apologise for “misusing” the House by making “baseless” allegations. Speaker Om Birla too asked him to provide proof to substantiate his allegations.Under Lok Sabha rules, a notice for breach of privilege (Rule 222) is submitted to Speaker Om Birla. The Speaker will examine the notice to determine whether a prima facie case of breach of privilege or contempt of the House exists.If allowed by the Speaker, the matter may either be discussed directly on the floor of the House or referred to the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee for a detailed examination and report. Published - July 30, 2026 08:48 pm IST
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