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Repeated adjournments, loud protests and objections over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks threw the Lok Sabha into chaos during the Budget Session. With China references, rule violations and an India-US trade deal statement looming, the political heat in Parliament is only rising.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm after uproar over Rahul Gandhi's speech
New Delhi: Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were repeatedly disrupted on Tuesday amid sharp exchanges between the treasury benches and the opposition, forcing the House to be adjourned till 3 pm. The disruptions occurred during the Budget Session debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, with controversy centring on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speech.
The session also unfolded against the backdrop of developments related to the India-US trade agreement, which added to the charged atmosphere inside Parliament.
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The uproar began shortly after the House convened for the day. Opposition MPs raised objections over several issues, including remarks attributed to US President Donald Trump on the recently announced India-US trade deal and the Speaker’s decision to restrict certain portions of Rahul Gandhi’s speech.
Speaker Om Birla appealed for order as he began obituary references to the passing of former MP Surupsing Hirya Naik. However, continued protests led to an adjournment of proceedings.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, while participating in the debate, once again raised concerns related to China and national security. He attempted to quote from an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, prompting strong objections from BJP members.
The ruling party argued that references to unpublished material violated parliamentary rules and could misrepresent facts related to sensitive defence matters. The objections led to loud protests and further disruption in the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju later clarified that Rahul Gandhi was not prevented from speaking but was advised against quoting material that had not been officially published or permitted under House rules. He said such insistence was unfair to other members awaiting their turn to speak and contributed to repeated adjournments.
The Speaker maintained that parliamentary decorum and established procedures must be followed, especially when discussions involve national security and the armed forces.
Amid the chaos, sources indicated that Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is likely to make a statement in Parliament on the India-US trade agreement. Goyal is reportedly returning to Delhi from Mumbai to address the House, as the announcement of the deal by the US President sparked sharp reactions from opposition parties.
A total of 18 hours has been allocated for the debate on the President’s address in both Houses of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the debate on February 4, while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to respond on February 11.
The Budget Session continues amid heightened political tensions, with key economic and foreign policy issues set to dominate upcoming discussions.
