Parliament Winter Session Day 1: Oppn preps for Adani faceoff, PM calls for synergy; Houses adjourned

On violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, “The first thing is that the mosque in Sambhal is not 50-100 years old, but 200-250 years old. The court passed an ex-parte order regarding the mosque without hearing its caretakers, which is wrong. The violence that occurred there, where three Muslims were shot and lost their lives, is something we strongly condemn. This is not firing, this is murder.”

Four people died as violence broke out in the district on Sunday as protesters opposing the survey of the Jama Masjid clashed with security personnel. The protesters torched vehicles and pelted the police with stones while the security personnel used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob.

On Maharashtra Assembly election result, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said in Parliament complex today that if anyone can take the country forward, “it is PM Modi's government”, adding that this is why the results are coming in NDA's favour.

On the Waqf Bill, he said, ''First, they (opposition) demanded that it should be sent to the JPC and now you don't trust it, whom will they trust?"

Lok Sabha has been adjourned for the day and will be meeting again at 11 AM on Wednesday. Rajya Sabha has also been adjourned for the day.

Rajya Sabha proceedings have beem adjourned for day. House will meet again on Wednesday.

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for 15 minutes as Congress and other opposition parties sought to raise indictment of Gautam Adani in US bribery case.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Appala Naidu Kalisetti reached Parliament on a bicycle earlier today.

As the Parliament session begins, the first step the government should take is to have a detailed discussion on the Adani saga which has the potential of tarnishing India’s image at the global stage, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X on Monday.

“This is what the INDIA bloc parties demand today, for the hard earned investments of crores of retail investors are at stake,” Kharge said.

“We do not need monopolies and cartels to run this country. We need healthy market driven competition in the private sector, which facilitates equal opportunities, employment and equitable distribution of wealth, catering to the inherent entrepreneurial spirit of India,” he added.

Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 12 pm. The Parliament Winter Session has begun from today and is scheduled to conclude on December 20. Opposition has planned to corner the Union government on key issues, including businessman Gautam Adan, Manipur violence and Waqf bill.

Opposition members of the Joint Working Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting an extension for completing consultations on the proposed changes to the Waqf Act.

The contentious Waqf Amendment Bill is among the 16 bills listed to be taken up for consideration. The Waqf Bill has been listed for consideration and passage after the joint committee of the two Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha.

As the Winter Session of the Parliament commences, I hope it is productive and filled with constructive debates and discussions, PM Modi reiterated on microblogging platform X, sharing his customary speech he delivered ahead of the commencement of Parliament Winter Session.

INDIA bloc parliamentary floor leaders held meeting at Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge's office in Parliament House ahead of the Winter Session.

Delivering his customary address ahead of the commencement of the Parliament Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "India gets little such opportunities it has today, and a message should go from the country that the voters and their dedication for democracy, Constitution, and their trust on House proceedings are lived up to by the members.

PM Modi said the time lost should be made up for and healthy discussions are carried out on key issues.

Delivering his customary address ahead of the commencement of the Parliament Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The people who have been rejected by the government, they try to control Parliament with ruckus. While they do not succeed and all of their behaviours are being counted by the people of the country… the most distressing thing is that the new MPs, who come with new ideas, their rights are suppressed by some people… they [new MPs] do not get the chance to even speak.”

"Those rejected by the people 80-90 times, they don't let discussions take place in Parliament, do not understand the aspirations of the people and do not live up to the expectations of the people," PM Modi added.

Delivering his customary address ahead of the commencement of the Parliament Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “This is the last leg of 2024. The country is heading towards the next year with excitement, this session of Parliament is special in many ways, the biggest thing is that it is the 75-year-journey of our Constitution. It is the beginning of the 75th year of our Constitution, it is a very bright event for our democracy and tomorrow, in the House, all of us will mark the beginning of the 75th year of the Indian Constitution.”

Opposition MPs, who are members of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will be meeting the Lok Sabha Speaker at 10.30 am today.

The contentious Waqf Amendment Bill is among the 16 bills listed to be taken up for consideration. The Waqf Bill has been listed for consideration and passage after the joint committee of the two Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha.

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the issue of “killing of three youths in police firing” in Uttar Pradesh's Sambal yesterday.

Three people were killed and several others – including 24 police personnel and administrative officers – were injured in the violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district on Sunday. The clashes took place during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque. Read More

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said on Monday that while there are many issues, such as Delhi pollution, unemployment, the Opposition would take up the Gautam Adani matter on priority in Parliament Winter Session, beginning today.

"There are many issues, such as Delhi's pollution, inflation, unemployment, concerns of labourers and farmers. However, our priority today will be the nation's security, harmony, and the allegations against the Adani group of giving ₹2300 crore in bribes to leaders and officials. We will raise this matter," said Congress MP Pramod Tiwari ahead of Parliament Winter Session.

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh has given a suspension of Business Notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 and demanded a discussion on the issue of the indictment of Gautam Adani.

Lok Sabha members attending the Winter Session of Parliament will have the option of marking their attendance using a digital pen on an electronic tabs, which will be kept at four counters in the lobby of the chamber of the House.

This is being done as part of Speaker Om Birla's initiative to make Parliament paperless.

"Physical attendance registers will continue to be kept at the counters. However, members are advised to use the tab as a preferred choice and help make Parliament paperless," the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

Officials said the MPs would have to first select their names from the drop down menu on the tab, affix their signatures with the help of the digital pen, and press the 'submit' button to register their attendance.

Congress Lok Sabha MPs will be holding a meeting at the Congress Parliamentary Party office at 10.30 am today to chalk out the strategy for the Floor of the House.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has written a letter to the Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha over the rising 'air pollution' in Delhi and demanded a short-duration discussion on the issue in Parliament, where Winter Session is starting today.

"Under Rule 176 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha, I hereby give notice of my intention to raise a discussion for Short duration on the following matter of urgent public importance," the letter dated November 22 reads.

Speaking on Constitution Day, which is observed on November 26 eavery year, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, “We adopted our Constitution on 26 November and it is a day to remember the sacrifice and dedication of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the people who made our Constitution. In the 75-year journey of democracy, India's democracy has also strengthened and that democracy has come to us from the basic spirit of the Constitution”.

Constitution Day is being celebrated on November 26 under the leadership of the President and the President will recite the Preamble of the Constitution so that we can express our gratitude towards the Constitution and the basic spirit and power of the Constitution can reach the people, Om Birla said.

He hoped that this Constitution Day becomes a “mass movement”.

"By carrying forward the basic duties and responsibilities of the Constitution, we will also realise our dream of Viksit Bharat," Om Birla said.

The contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been listed for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha, with the Opposition alleging that the move is aimed at targeting Muslims.

What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

The Union government has proposed amendment to the Waqf Boards Act 1995. The proposed bill aims to restrict the power of Waqf boards to manage its properties and provides for more government regulation.

The Opposition parties have alleged that the proposals aim to deprive the Muslim community of their land, assets and the “freedom to manage religious affairs” guaranteed under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution. The ruling NDA has in turn argued that the demand to regulate Waqf boards comes from the Muslim community itself. Read More

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, demanding discussion on the issue of indictment of Gautam Adani.

"The Modi government's silence on this matter undermines India's integrity, economy, and global reputation. Accountability must be ensured. Prime minister must answer the questions on his friendship with Adani & Adani scandal," says the notice.

CPI (M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has given Zero-hour Notice and demanded Special Financial assistance from the Union Government for Wayanad landslide Victims in Kerala.