Indian Parliament's Winter Session Concludes Amid Controversies

The Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament, adjourned sine die on Friday, bringing to a close a 19-day Winter Session characterised by numerous viral incidents that showcased both the chaos and confrontation within the legislative chamber. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the indefinite adjournment, revealing that the house had achieved a productivity rate of 111 per cent during this session. Over the course of 15 sittings, the Parliament passed several significant Bills, including one that opens the civil nuclear sector to private enterprise.

A focal point of the session was the passage of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and guarantees 125 days of employment for rural households. This was passed amidst considerable opposition protests.

Controversy Surrounds E-Cigarette Use in Parliament

A notable incident involved accusations from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Anurag Thakur, who alleged that a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP was using an e-cigarette within the Lok Sabha. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya later identified the lawmaker in question as TMC leader Kirti Azad. Malviya expressed his disapproval on social media platform X, stating, "For people like him, rules and laws hold no meaning. Hiding an e-cigarette in his palm inside the House is unacceptable."

Thakur had previously submitted a formal complaint to Speaker Om Birla regarding the use of the e-cigarette, although he did not name the MP at that time.

A Puppy in Parliament: Renuka Chowdhury's Light-hearted Moment

Former Union Minister and Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury brought a puppy into the Parliament on the session's opening day, claiming she had rescued it after finding it near a road accident. Chowdhury remarked on the situation, stating, "The real ones (dogs) who bite are sitting in Parliament. They run the government. We take care of a mute animal, and this has become a big issue and a topic of discussion."

When questioned about potential disciplinary actions, she playfully responded, "Bhow, bhow… aur kya bolun?" (Bark, bark… what else can I say?) and lamented that serious issues such as pollution and labour laws were being neglected.

Disruptive Scenes During Bill Passage

The passage of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill was marked by disruptions, as opposition members, particularly from the Congress party, stormed the well of the House, shouting slogans and tearing copies of the Bill after their demand for a parliamentary committee review was denied. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Chouhan condemned the opposition's actions, describing the tearing of pages and climbing onto tables as a "murder of Bapu’s ideals," referring to Mahatma Gandhi.

Debate on Election Reforms

Tensions escalated during discussions on special intensive revisions, where Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to a public debate regarding allegations of electoral malpractice. Gandhi raised concerns over the immunity granted to election commissioners and the presence of alleged fake voters, insisting that Shah address these issues directly. Shah retorted that Parliament would not be dictated by Gandhi's demands, asserting, "I will decide the sequence of my speech."

Dramatic Walkouts Over Legislation

In a dramatic turn of events, opposition members staged walkouts in protest against the G RAM G Bill, accusing the government of hastily pushing the legislation through without adequate debate. They voiced concerns that the Bill undermined rural livelihoods and bypassed parliamentary scrutiny. This protest highlighted the persistent tensions in the Lok Sabha, culminating in the passage of the Bill despite opposition outcry.

A Lighter Note Amidst Tension

Despite the confrontations, a lighter moment occurred during Question Hour when Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sought a meeting with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari regarding road safety issues. Gadkari invited her to his chamber and humourously acknowledged the potential for complaints if he addressed her brother's concerns but not hers. Eyewitnesses noted that Gadkari even offered a rice dish he had cooked after watching YouTube videos, adding a unique culinary twist to the proceedings.

Opposition Protest Continues Outside Parliament

The opposition's protests extended beyond the parliamentary proceedings, with parties staging a 12-hour overnight sit-in on Thursday night. Following the passage of the legislation in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote, opposition MPs reiterated their demands for the Bill's withdrawal and referral to a parliamentary committee, which the government rejected. TMC leader Sagarika Ghose condemned the legislation, labelling it an affront to India's impoverished citizens and alleging that MPs were given insufficient notice for proper debate.

The Winter Session of Parliament has thus concluded, leaving behind a trail of controversy, heated debates, and viral moments that captured the attention of the nation.