How BJP disrupted Lok Sabha on a day Opposition moved to remove V-P Dhankhar

On Parliament premises, Congress MPs carried black jholas (bags) with caricatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adani printed on them along with the slogan “Modi, Adani bhai bhai (Modi, Adani are brothers)”. Apart from Gandhi, those present at the protest were Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, other party MPs, and members from allies DMK, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and the Left.

In the Lower House of Parliament, the ruling side protested against the alleged links between Soros and the Congress high command. The BJP raised the matter in both Houses on Thursday, leading to disruptions on Friday and Monday. The party has targeted Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Here is what unfolded in the Lok Sabha:

11 am: As the House meets, BJP MPs stand up to protest on the Soros issue. Speaker Om Birla urges MPs to let the House run even as he takes exception to the Congress’s protest outside the House, saying it violates the rules and procedures and is an “undignified demonstration”.

As he mentions the “role of top leaders of the Opposition” in the protest, the Treasury benches begin to shout “shame”. This provokes the Opposition and the Speaker is forced to adjourn the proceedings at 11.04 am.

Noon: The Lok Sabha meets again and BJP MP Dilip Saikia, who is at the chair, calls for the tabling of papers listed on the day’s agenda.

12.07 pm: Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is called to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024.

12.08 pm: With the presiding officer permitting him, Congress’s Manish Tewari rises to oppose the introduction of the Bill saying the Union Government does not have the “legislative competence” to introduce it. He says Parliament does not have exclusive jurisdiction on the matter and that it is “against cooperative federalism”.

12.10 pm: Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy also opposes the introduction of the bill on similar grounds as Tewari. As Congress’s Deputy Leader in the House, Kodikunnil Suresh, stands up to speak, the presiding officer calls on Sonowal to table the Bill.

12.12 pm: Sonowal attempts to counter the Opposition’s arguments when Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju gets up to intervene. Rijiju targets the Opposition saying it has wasted four days of proceedings through disruptions.

12.13 pm: Saikia interrupts Rijiju, asking him to sit down and let Sonowal introduce the Bill. Sonowal then moves the proposed piece of legislation.

Even through the introduction of the Bill, Rijiju keeps on speaking. “On the pretext of making videos, the Opposition does such acts (the demonstrations outside). I object to it. I demand that the Congress apologise for the way the dignity of this House has been lowered due to their shameful behaviour. They must also apologise for the links between George Soros and anti-national forces and their top leadership. What is the relationship that the Congress leadership has with George Soros and anti-national forces? It must apologise to the House about it,” he says.

12.16 pm: Saikia requests all members to take their seats and cooperate for the business.

By now, Congress MPs are in the Well of the House protesting against Rijiju’s remarks. Ruling BJP MPs also stand up and shout at the Opposition.

12.17 pm: Lok Sabha proceedings are adjourned for the day.