The Monsoon Session of Parliament has been marked by repeated Opposition protests and disruptions, with INDIA bloc parties demanding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah come to the House and respond to allegations of police excesses against students during the Chalo Sansad march protest in Delhi on July 20.
The Opposition has also intensified its demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, particularly on August 5, the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
The protests have taken place both inside the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and outside Parliament, with MPs raising slogans, carrying placards and staging marches targeting the Modi government.
On August 5, Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined MPs from several INDIA bloc parties in a march from Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar.
The protesters demanded that Shah answer questions over the alleged police action against students and also raised allegations concerning donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
A large banner carried during the march read, “Amit Shah jawaab do”. Protesters also raised slogans including “chandachor, gaddi chor”. Donation boxes were placed near Makar Dwar to symbolise the Opposition’s allegations over Ram Temple donations.
MPs from Jammu and Kashmir carried placards demanding Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. Opposition parties said the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 was an occasion to renew the demand, stressing that statehood was a right of the people and not a concession from the Union Government.
‘Why is Shah not coming to Parliament?’
Kharge has repeatedly questioned Shah’s absence from the House and demanded that he make a statement on the alleged police action against students.
“They are disrespecting Parliament. It has been so many days, but they don’t want to step inside the House,” Kharge told reporters. “What is the issue in coming to the House and giving a statement?”
Rahul Gandhi also demanded an explanation from the Home Minister over the alleged use of force against students protesting over the paper-leak issue.
“Amit Shah ji, do not hide; answer the nation’s question in Parliament – who ordered the attack on the students?” Gandhi said in a post.
Opposition MPs have alleged that protesters were subjected to tear gas, baton charges and other forms of police action. Priyanka Gandhi accused the government of avoiding responsibility and said those holding high office must answer for actions taken by state agencies.
“If something has happened, pellet guns have been fired on students, they have been tear-gassed and lathicharged, somebody would have ordered it. They should take responsibility,” she said.
The Opposition has linked the issue directly to the Home Ministry, arguing that Delhi Police comes under its administrative control and that Shah therefore has a responsibility to answer Parliament. CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasanraised concerns over action against students and teachers who participated in recent protests, saying some educational institutions had issued notices to them.
J&K Statehood Issue
The restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as another prominent issue during the session.Opposition MPs from Jammu and Kashmir have repeatedly raised the demand in Parliament and during demonstrations in the complex. The August 5 anniversary gave the issue added political significance, with Opposition parties arguing that, after the constitutional changes of 2019, the Centre should now fulfil its repeated assurance to restore statehood.
The government has maintained that the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir was necessary for its integration and administration, while Opposition parties have argued that the Union Territory’s continued status is inconsistent with earlier commitments to restore statehood.
The issue has been particularly prominent among MPs from Jammu and Kashmir, who have carried placards and raised slogans demanding the restoration of the state’s full political status.
Protests Disrupt Proceedings
The confrontation has repeatedly affected proceedings in both Houses. On August 7, Opposition MPs again raised slogans and demanded a response from Shah. The Lok Sabha was eventually adjourned amid protests over the student agitation, the paper-leak controversy, Ram Temple donation allegations and other issues raised by the Opposition.
The government has accused the Opposition of deliberately disrupting Parliament and preventing legislative business from being conducted.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rejected the demand that the Opposition decide which minister should respond to a particular issue.
“The Opposition will not decide which minister will come,” Rijiju said. He maintained that Shah remains in Parliament for much of the day, although he has not attended a sitting of either House during the current session.
Rijiju said Opposition MPs raise slogans and leave the House while Shah remains in Parliament from morning until late evening. He argued that the Home Minister could respond when the relevant business comes before the House.
The issue also figured in an exchange involving Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan. During proceedings, Radhakrishnan asked Rijiju to ‘echo the sentiments’ of the Opposition and convey Kharge’s request that Shah come to the House.
Rijiju later clarified that the Chair had made an observation rather than issued a direction to the Home Minister.
“No direction was given by the Chair,” he said, reiterating that the Opposition could not determine which minister should answer a particular matter.
Kharge Challenges Modi and Shah
Kharge has rejected the government’s argument that the Opposition alone is responsible for the disruptions and challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah to allow a debate on the student protests.“If you are right, hold a debate in Parliament on the students’ agitation,” Kharge said.
The Opposition has argued that the government cannot demand uninterrupted proceedings while refusing to allow discussion on issues involving the government and its agencies. The government, in turn, has accused Opposition parties of using protests and slogans to prevent Parliament from functioning.
Bills Passed Amid Protests
The Opposition has also criticised the government for pushing legislation through Parliament while protests continued.On August 6, the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which amends three Acts and replaces an ordinance, was taken up at 2.11 pm and passed by 2.14 pm. Parliamentary watchdog Maadhyam said a statutory resolution opposing the Bill was negated and amendments moved by MPs were not taken up.
A day earlier, the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, for which three hours had been allotted, was passed in about five minutes without debate.
On August 7, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was also passed amid Opposition protests.Opposition parties have accused the government of turning Parliament into a ‘Bill-making factory’ by avoiding debate on contentious issues and then blaming them for disruptions.
With protests continuing inside the Houses and demonstrations being held outside Parliament, the session has become a sustained political confrontation over the alleged police action against students, ministerial accountability, Ram Temple donations and the political status of Jammu and Kashmir.