Parliament monsoon session: Blame game over low LS productivity, govt says ‘Opposition running away from debate’
Parliament monsoon session highlights: LoP Rahul Gandhi described Shah's offer as a “last-minute attempt” and said the Opposition was not interested in listening to a lecture from the home minister.
Parliament monsoon session highlights: Parliament closed on a tense note on Thursday, with the government and Opposition still locked in a standoff over student protests and the demand for accountability over police action....Read More
Despite efforts to break the deadlock on the penultimate day, repeated disruptions have kept the two sides at odds. The standoff came into sharper focus on Wednesday when Union home minister Amit Shah offered to hold a discussion on the student protests and police action.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is ready for discussions. The House should be allowed to run, the Opposition should submit a letter to the speaker by 2pm today. We are ready to start discussion at 3pm today,” Shah said in a rare media interaction outside Parliament.
Shah also wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conveying the government's readiness to participate in the discussion. The Opposition, however, rejected the proposal.
Rahul Gandhi calls it ‘last-minute attempt’
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi described Shah's offer as a “last-minute attempt” and said the Opposition was not interested in listening to a lecture from the home minister.
The disagreement has centred on the Opposition's demand for statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah over police action against students protesting the NEET paper leak. The Opposition has alleged that students faced pellet guns, lathi charges and tear gas during protests at Jantar Mantar.
The government has maintained that it is willing to discuss the issue, but differences over the scope and format of the debate have repeatedly led to disruptions.
FCRA bill sent to JPC
Amid the continuing standoff, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday moved the controversial Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill to a 31-member joint parliamentary committee.
The panel will have 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, with a BJP member expected to head it.
The bill, which was introduced in the previous session but held back, has faced opposition from several political parties, church delegations and chief ministers of three Christian-majority states. Critics have raised concerns over its proposed changes to India's foreign contribution law.
Minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai moved the resolution to constitute the JPC. The Opposition said it would participate in the committee but continue to oppose the legislation.
‘RSS getting foreign donations,’ says Venugopal
“Even in the JPC, we will continue to strongly oppose this bill and will not allow these unconstitutional and coercive provisions to become law,” Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said.
“On one side, the RSS is getting donations from foreign countries, while on the other side, the government is trying to target minorities and NGOs. The government should withdraw this bill,” he added.
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju defended the decision to refer the bill to the JPC, pointing out that the Opposition had itself been seeking such a move.
“Yet, even when we are referring such an important bill (to a panel), these people have objections. If KC Venugopal or a member of any other party finds anything objectionable in this bill, or if there is any point they wish to oppose, they can present their views in the JPC. The JPC will have sufficient time; hearings will be held, and other people will also be invited to participate. Instead of being pleased about this, they are speaking against it.”
Rijiju also rejected suggestions that the government had been pressured into referring the bill to a parliamentary panel, saying the move was intended to facilitate a detailed examination of the legislation.
What lies ahead on the final day
With only hours left before the session ends, the key question is whether the government and Opposition can find common ground to allow Parliament to function on its final day.
The student protests have remained one of the biggest flashpoints of the session. The Opposition has repeatedly sought accountability over alleged police action against students protesting the NEET paper leak, while the government has maintained that it is ready for a discussion.
The two sides, however, remain divided over the terms of that discussion.
The Lok Sabha also passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, on Wednesday. The legislation seeks to facilitate mineral exploration, particularly of critical and strategic minerals, and gives mining lease holders greater flexibility to seek the inclusion of additional minerals in existing leases.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 06:56:50 PM IST
The live updates to the blog are closed.
The live updates to the blog are closed.
- 13 Aug 2026, 06:34:04 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Lok Sabha Monsoon Session among least productive in over two decades
Parliament monsoon session LIVE:The Lok Sabha recorded one of its lowest productivity levels in more than two decades during the Monsoon Session that ended on Thursday, with the House functioning for just 15% of its scheduled time, according to data compiled by PRS Legislative Research.
The figures covering the past 22 years show significant fluctuations in the functioning of Parliament, with some sessions extending well beyond their scheduled hours, while others saw disruptions and political confrontations consume much of the time available for legislative business.
The just-concluded Monsoon Session ranks among the Lok Sabha's least productive sessions in this period. At 15%, its functioning matched the Winter Session of 2016 and was higher only than the Winter Sessions of 2010 and 2013.
The House functioned for just 5% of its scheduled time during the Winter Session of 2010, while it worked for 8% during the Winter Session of 2013, according to data shared by PRS with PTI.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 05:38:43 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: BJP govt afraid to face Opposition, says Congress' Vijay Wadettiwar
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Thursday accused the BJP-led central government of being afraid to face the Opposition in Parliament, claiming that the top leadership of the ruling party remained absent during the Monsoon Session.
Speaking to reporters, Wadettiwar said the government's alleged reluctance to face the Opposition had become evident after the Jantar Mantar protest.
"This government is scared after the Jantar Mantar protest and couldn't even face the opposition, that became apparent," he said.
Wadettiwar claimed that despite the session lasting three full weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were not present in the House for most of the proceedings.
"The session lasted three full weeks, but neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister were seen (in the House)," he said.
- 13 Aug 2026, 04:41:46 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Lok Sabha Monsoon Session ends after disruptions, House works for 15% of scheduled time
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, bringing the curtain down on a stormy Monsoon Session marked by repeated Opposition protests over police action against student protesters, alleged theft of Ram temple donations and the passage of several key bills without debate.
Amid persistent protests and disruptions, the lower house functioned for only 15% of its scheduled time during the session.
As soon as the House met for the day, all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram were played. Speaker Om Birla then adjourned the Lok Sabha sine die, bringing the session to an end.
Birla, however, did not deliver the customary valedictory address in which the Speaker highlights the performance and productivity of the House during the session.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 03:46:26 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of shifting goalposts, blames him for Monsoon Session disruptions
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: The BJP on Thursday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly changing his demands for discussions in Parliament and alleged that the Monsoon Session had fallen victim to “one leader's ego, indiscipline and insolence”.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, bringing the stormy Monsoon Session to a close amid persistent Opposition protests over police action against agitating students and the alleged theft of donations for the Ram temple. Several key bills were also passed without debate.
Addressing a press conference on the final day of the session, senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that the Opposition prevented Parliament from functioning despite the government's willingness to hold discussions.
Prasad described Gandhi as “irresponsible” and “immature” and accused him of lacking political propriety.
- 13 Aug 2026, 03:41:54 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: 14,000-plus sign petition seeking action over Priyanka Gandhi's 'gau mutra expert' remark
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: A petition signed by more than 14,000 people claiming to be members of the academic and scientific community has sought Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's intervention over Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's reference to IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti as a “gau mutra (urine) expert” during parliamentary proceedings.
Launched on Change.org on August 1, the petition called for the withdrawal of the “derogatory expression” and expressed regret over what it described as the “personal and derogatory nature” of the remark.
In a press note, the petitioners, who identified themselves as the “Academic and Scientific Community”, claimed the petition had received support from people across disciplines, institutions and states in India, as well as from Indian scientists based in more than 38 countries.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 03:18:43 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Ravi Shankar Prasad blames Rahul Gandhi for Parliament Monsoon Session washout
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday blamed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's “arrogance, stubbornness and sense of entitlement” for the washout of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, alleging that the Opposition prevented the House from functioning despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah's willingness to participate in a debate on police action.
Addressing a press conference, Prasad accused Gandhi of “total indiscipline” and said the entire session had been “sacrificed” because of the Congress leader's conduct.
“The entire Monsoon Session of Parliament has been sacrificed at the altar of one leader's arrogance, lack of discipline, and stubbornness,” Prasad said, adding that Shah had offered to participate in a debate on the police action and respond to the arguments raised by the Opposition.
Prasad alleged that despite the Home Minister's willingness to debate the issue, the Opposition did not allow Parliament to function.
- 13 Aug 2026, 03:06:26 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Gaurav Gogoi attacks Amit Shah over Parliament absence, asks why he skipped Manipur debate
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his alleged absence from Parliament during the Monsoon Session, accusing him of “waking up from his Kumbhakaran-like sleep” only two days before the session ended.
Addressing a press conference, Gogoi questioned why Shah did not participate in the discussions despite the Opposition repeatedly seeking his statement on the police action during the July 20 rally at Jantar Mantar.
“For 15 days, the Home Minister was missing, only to wake up from his ‘Kumbhakaran-like sleep’ two days before the session's end, claiming he was ready for a discussion. Where were you when the actual discussion was happening?” Gogoi said.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 02:50:29 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Ram Gopal Yadav backs full Vande Mataram, says original version ‘more beautiful’
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav backed the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram in both Houses of Parliament, saying the song had been sung during earlier sessions as well.
He said national anthems around the world generally last about a minute and noted that fewer people now remember the full version of Vande Mataram. Yadav also said standing at attention for the entire song can be difficult for some people.
He suggested distributing copies of Vande Mataram so that people can familiarise themselves with its complete lyrics, while adding that the newer version does not sound as beautiful as the original.
- 13 Aug 2026, 02:38:35 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Stormy Monsoon Session ends amid protests, bills passed without debate
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: The monsoon session of Parliament ended on Thursday after a stormy run marked by repeated Opposition protests over police action against agitating students and the alleged theft of Ram Temple donations.
Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, bringing the session to a close after several key bills were passed amid disruptions, with many seeing little or no debate.
The session remained dominated by the government-Opposition standoff, with repeated disruptions preventing extended discussions on several contentious issues.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 02:21:10 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Pralhad Joshi says, ‘entire session derailed due to one individual’s ego'
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Union education minister Pralhad Joshi blamed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for disruptions during the Monsoon Session, accusing him of “highly irresponsible” behaviour.
“During the Monsoon Session, due to the highly irresponsible behavior of Rahul Gandhi, the discussions and productive work that could have taken place, aside from the bills that were eventually passed, did not happen,” Joshi said, reported ANI.
He alleged that the session was derailed due to the “ego of one individual” and accused the Opposition of walking away from discussions after its demands were accepted.
“They make demands, and when those demands are accepted, they run away,” Joshi said.
- 13 Aug 2026, 02:14:39 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: ‘Govt appeared scared and intimidated,' says Congress' Gaurav Gogoi
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi hit out at the government after the Monsoon Session ended, saying he had never seen a Parliament session where the ruling government appeared “scared and intimidated”.
“I have seen many Parliament sessions, but never one in which the ruling government appeared 'scared and intimidated'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were absent throughout the session,” Gogoi said.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 02:05:04 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: ‘11 years ago it was Vyapam, now it is NEET,' says Jairam Ramesh
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said the Monsoon Session of Parliament was “completely washed out” over the NEET issue, drawing a comparison with the 2015 session that was disrupted over the Vyapam scam.
“First, let me remind you that the Monsoon Session 2026 was completely washed out. But this is not the first time. Exactly 11 years ago, in 2015, the Monsoon Session was washed out over the Vyapam scam,” Ramesh said at a press conference, reported PTI.
He said the issues this year again involved students and youth, alleging that shortcomings in the National Testing Agency (NTA) had led to a situation similar to the Vyapam controversy.
“11 years ago it was Vyapam, and this year it is NEET and the shortcomings of the NTA. The Monsoon Session has been washed out over the same issue,” he said.
Ramesh said that despite laws being enacted and promises being made over the years, the core issues had remained unchanged.
“Nothing has changed in 11 years. Laws have been enacted and promises have been made. Reels are now being made, and the Prime Minister is addressing the country at midnight. Something must have changed in 11 years. But the issues remain the same, Vyapam 11 years ago, and NEET and NTA's shortcomings this year,” he added.
- 13 Aug 2026, 01:42:39 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: INDIA bloc parties boycott Lok Sabha Speaker’s tea party
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: The Congress, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday after the House was adjourned sine die, marking another sign of the Opposition-government standoff at the end of the Monsoon Session, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Sonia Gandhi attended a get-together hosted by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, the report added.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 01:09:02 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: On Shah's alleged absence, Kharge says ‘Do you come here to sit in your room?’
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at the government over the disruptions during the Monsoon Session, questioning the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah from the House during the standoff.
“They are not ready to come to Parliament. When the PM himself is not stepping in, when the HM is not coming in and say "main andar tha, main sun raha tha" - do you come here to sit in your room and listen? Come to the House and hear us,” Kharge said, reported ANI.
Kharge accused the government of trying to “destroy democracy” and demoralise Parliament members, alleging that those in power believe Parliament is “nothing before them”.
“People will break their ego,” he added.
- 13 Aug 2026, 01:06:37 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Rijiju slams Congress, says ‘Opposition used to engage in dialogue’
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition over disruptions in Parliament, saying earlier opposition parties would engage in discussions even while protesting.
“Discuss things while creating an uproar. The opposition used to engage in dialogue, whereas these people, while acting as the opposition, run away from discussion,” Rijiju said.
He added that 11 bills were passed in the Lok Sabha without discussion, while one was debated. He said the bill was fully discussed in the Rajya Sabha, with several Opposition parties participating despite the Congress and some other parties walking out.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 12:52:52 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Rijiju slams Opposition over disruptions, low productivity
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition on Thursday, saying the government was unhappy with the level of debate during the Monsoon Session and accusing the Congress of unfairly disrupting proceedings.
Rijiju said the Lok Sabha recorded 19% productivity, while the Rajya Sabha's productivity stood at 39% during the session.
He said 12 bills were passed during the Monsoon Session, but “sadly” only one of them saw discussion in both Houses, reported news agency PTI.
“For the first time, we have seen Opposition running away from debate in Parliament when government wants discussion,” Rijiju said.
- 13 Aug 2026, 12:43:48 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: ‘Govt responsible for House washout’, says Congress MP
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: After the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, Congress MP KC Venugopal on Thursday blamed the Centre for the disruption of proceedings, alleging that Union home minister Amit Shah was unwilling to face discussions in the House.
Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader said the government was entirely responsible for the washout of the session, claiming that it was pursuing "different agendas" that had been rejected by the people of India.
"The government is solely responsible for this House washout. They have different agendas, but the people of India have defeated that agenda," Venugopal said.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 12:31:57 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: SP MP Dimple Yadav slams Centre for ‘ignoring’ national issues
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav on Thursday criticised the BJP-led Central government, alleging that the ruling party's handling of key national issues has given people the impression that the government is "incredibly arrogant".
Speaking to ANI, Yadav claimed that the BJP had failed to address concerns linked to the country's faith and had also overlooked issues affecting young people.
"My assessment of this session is that a message has gone out to the country that the BJP government is an incredibly arrogant one. They neither acknowledged issues concerning the nation's faith nor did they deem it necessary to give any importance to issues affecting the youth," she said.
- 13 Aug 2026, 12:22:28 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Register case against those who purified stage, says Kharge
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday alleged that people associated with the BJP purified the stage at Ramlila Maidan in Uttarakhand's Haldwani where he had delivered a speech.
Kharge, who is also the Congress president, demanded that cases be registered under the Untouchability Act against those who purified the stage in Haldwani and that they be arrested and sent to jail.
Kharge said the act was also condemned by Union minister JP Nadda.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 12:12:21 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, bringing the Monsoon Session of Parliament to a close.
The Upper House was adjourned indefinitely after a session marked by repeated disruptions and a standoff between the government and Opposition over several contentious issues including the Uttarakhand purification row on last day.
- 13 Aug 2026, 12:05:01 PM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Rajya Sabha passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill on last day of the session
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, clearing the legislation in the Upper House.
The bill seeks to facilitate mineral exploration and development, particularly of critical and strategic minerals, while providing greater flexibility to mining lease holders.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 11:45:05 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: ‘Uttarakhand needs purification from such ideology,' says Congress' Selja
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Congress MP Kumari Selja hit out at the BJP over the shuddhikaran (purification) havan held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan after a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
“It is a disgrace to the BJP-RSS government and their ideology that, on the one hand, they talk about organizing 'Tiranga Yatras' and engage in such publicity, while on the other, the principle of equality, guaranteed by our Constitution and upheld by the nation and the world, is being blatantly violated regarding our leader and the Leader of the Opposition,” news agency ANI quotes her as saying.
Referring to the ritual at the venue where Kharge had addressed a rally, Selja asked, “What kind of 'purification' is this?”
She added, “It is Uttarakhand that needs purification, purification from such an ideology, such a mindset, such a vile mentality as theirs.”
- 13 Aug 2026, 11:41:37 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: JP Nadda responds to Kharge's charge in Rajya Sabha
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Leader of the House and Union minister JP Nadda responded to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks on the Haldwani shuddhikaran row in Rajya Sabha, saying the BJP does not support such activities.
“What Kharge ji said is really sad - not just for Congress party but for all of us...BJP does not subscribe to such activities. Never. But we will investigate this,” Nadda said.
He assured the House that the incident would be investigated and said the BJP national president would look into the matter.
“I condemn this. National president will look into this. It is a matter of great regret for all of us that your sentiments were hurt,” Nadda said.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 11:38:25 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Kharge questions democracy, says 'I am the LoP’ over purification row
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge raised the Haldwani shuddhikaran row in the House, questioning the BJP over the lleged havan conducted at the Ramlila Maidan after his rally.
During his address, Kharge said, “I was in Haldwani where I made a public speech at Ramlila Maidan. Lakhs of people were there. At that time, I did not mention the name of any community or religion; I only reiterated the issues of the Govt. But after my speech, people of BJP performed a havan there to 'purify' that stage".
He questioned whether such an act was appropriate in a democracy and raised concerns over constitutional values.
“Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution? I am the LoP...” he added.
- 13 Aug 2026, 11:32:26 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Kharge condemns ‘shuddhikaran’, says it is ‘against Hinduism’
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Congress MP and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the shuddhikaran (purification) ritual held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground after his rally, saying the act was aimed at creating caste divisions.
“Let them perform a havan. We have been saying from the beginning that there is no place in this country for Dalits to progress. In the name of religion, they are trying to divide everyone. What was the need for 'shuddhikaran' there? What they have done is against Hinduism and, on top of that, they are trying to divide the country and create caste conflicts. I condemn this,” Kharge said.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 11:24:13 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: What is the ‘shuddhikaran’ row?
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: A political row erupted in Uttarakhand after a shuddhikaran (purification) ceremony was held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground following a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8.
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the Shri Ram Sena, the group that conducted the ritual, was associated with the BJP. The BJP has strongly denied the allegation.
Godiyal alleged that the ritual was carried out because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community and accused the BJP of promoting caste-based divisions.
Calling the ceremony a “crime against humanity”, the Congress leader said the incident reflected what he described as a fundamental ideological difference between the Congress and BJP.
- 13 Aug 2026, 11:23:04 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: JP Nadda condemns ‘purification’ ritual, promises probe
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: BJP president JP Nadda on Thursday condemned the shuddhikaran (purification) ritual carried out at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally.
Nadda said the BJP respects Kharge and his sentiments and assured that the matter would be investigated.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 11:20:06 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Kharge slams govt over ‘purification’ row
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at the government over a shuddhikaran (purification) ritual conducted at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground after he addressed a rally there on August 8, calling it a reflection of an “anti-Dalit mindset”.
Kharge alleged that the incident had exposed the mindset of those who carried out the ritual following his rally.
BJP president JP Nadda responded by saying that the party respects Kharge and his sentiments, amid the political row over the incident.
The controversy erupted in Uttarakhand after the Shri Ram Sena performed the shuddhikaran ritual at the venue following Kharge’s rally, triggering a war of words between the Congress and BJP.
- 13 Aug 2026, 11:13:53 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Lok Sabha session ends without Amit Shah’s address
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, bringing the Monsoon Session to an end without Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing the House on the student protest row.
Shah had offered to hold a discussion on the issue on the penultimate day of the session, but the Opposition rejected the proposal, insisting that the home minister make a statement in the House.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 11:06:41 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Lok Sabha adjourned sine die
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday minutes after proceeding began, bringing the Monsoon Session of Parliament to a close.
- 13 Aug 2026, 11:03:48 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Oppn stages protest, chants, ‘56 inch ka chhota bandar, jaldi aao sadan ke andar'
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Opposition MPs, led by Congress MP Pawan Khera, staged a protest on the Parliament premises on Thursday, carrying a toy monkey and raising slogans targeting the government.
The protesters chanted, “56 inch ka chhota bandar, jaldi aao sadan ke andar”, as the Opposition stepped up its demonstrations on the final day of the Monsoon Session.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 10:53:39 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: TMC MP targets Amit Shah, alleges, ‘Contempt for Parliament’
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: TMC MP Sagarika Ghose on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah of showing “utter disrespect” towards Parliament during the Monsoon Session.
“During the Monsoon Session 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have shown utter disrespect towards the House and Parliament. They have insulted the institution and displayed contempt for Parliament,” Ghose said, reported PTI.
She claimed the Opposition had been demanding a discussion on the NEET issue and the alleged use of pellet guns against unarmed students for weeks, but alleged that neither Modi nor Shah came to the House to address the concerns.
“The Home Minister did not come to the House even for a single moment. The Prime Minister did not come to the House even for a single moment... not to listen, not to sit, not even for a moment,” she said.
“The fact that you ignored the people's voice throughout the session and, at the very end, claimed that you were ready for a discussion shows that you were never serious about the issue. You never treated it with the seriousness it deserved,” she said.
She accused the home minister of showing “utter disrespect” towards the House and Parliament during the Monsoon Session.
- 13 Aug 2026, 10:47:00 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: ‘Chor aaya’ chants rock premises on final day
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Opposition MPs staged a protest on the Parliament premises on the last day of the Monsoon Session, raising slogans of “Chor aaya, Chor aaya” over the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case.
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- 13 Aug 2026, 10:32:16 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Amit Shah has 'exposed' Rahul Gandhi, says Giriraj Singh
Parliament monsoon session LIVE: Union minister Giriraj Singh hit out at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of avoiding a discussion on the student protests and challenging his conduct in Parliament.
Singh said Gandhi had “no guts to discuss NEET” and claimed that a debate on the pellet gun issue would also bring up the NEET controversy and similar issues in states including Punjab, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand.
He defended home minister Amit Shah, saying Shah had “exposed” Gandhi by offering to hold a discussion. Singh also cited the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A and the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as examples of Shah's work.
Targeting Gandhi, Singh further said, “Rahul Gandhi is the name of a man who is like an unruly child in a village. Look at his expressions and words," reported news agency ANI.
He added, “A parliamentary system has some decorum. Will you make comparisons with Amit Shah?”
Singh also accused Gandhi of acting like a “hit-and-run” politician and alleged that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was indulging in “chamchagiri” of Gandhi.
“You act like a hit-and-run. Amit Shah has exposed. He (Lok Sabha LoP) has no guts to discuss NEET,” Singh said.
- 13 Aug 2026, 10:27:40 AM IST
Parliament monsoon session LIVE updates: Rahul Gandhi rejects Shah’s offer, says ‘he should resign’
Parliament monsoon session LIVE updates: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday rejected Union home minister Amit Shah’s offer for a discussion on the student protests, saying the Opposition was seeking answers rather than a “lecture”. Gandhi called Shah’s proposal a “last-minute” attempt and questioned who ordered the alleged police action against protesting students.
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