Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 2 PM Over Opposition Sloganeering Rijiju Admonishes Conduct

(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The Lok Sabha experienced repeated disruptions on Friday due to opposition members shouting slogans, leading to the House being adjourned twice—first until 12 noon and then until 2 PM. The opposition members demanded a debate on LPG shortages and supply issues, but their requests were denied by the Chair, yet they continued to raise slogans.

When the House reconvened at 12 noon, chaos ensued as opposition members kept shouting slogans. They stormed into the Well of the House and caused disturbances while Acting Speaker Sandhya Ray conducted proceedings. She repeatedly appealed for order, but the opposition benches refused to relent and continued creating chaos.

As the uproar persisted and the opposition disobeyed the Chair, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed deep disappointment, lamenting that their behavior had not changed even after being called out during the marathon discussion on the no-confidence motion against the Speaker.

“Your conduct is undermining the House and bringing it into disrepute. If you don’t change your ways, you will face severe punishment from the public,” Rijiju told the protesting lawmakers.

He also mentioned that Congress and opposition members had participated in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting today, where they agreed on the agenda to discuss supplementary demands for grants and private member resolutions.

Chiding the opposition benches, he said that after the lengthy debate on the no-confidence motion, they should have improved their behavior, but nothing has changed.

He also criticized Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his ‘picnicking’ outside Parliament, stating he was unwilling to change his ways and that even those who could guide him have become his followers.

Referring to the opposition protest at the Parliament entrance gate, which Rahul Gandhi also joined on Thursday, he called it nothing less than a ‘drama and publicity stunt’ aimed at attracting public attention.

Earlier, Speaker Om Birla objected to opposition members turning the entrance gate into a picnic spot and emphasized that maintaining the dignity and sanctity of Parliament is everyone’s responsibility.

As the House convened on Friday morning, members demanded the revocation of the suspension of eight lawmakers and also called for a discussion on LPG shortages.

The Speaker urged members not to disrupt the House and to raise public concerns after the Question Hour, emphasizing that this time was crucial for issues related to specific constituencies.

Minutes after the session began, the Speaker adjourned the House until 12 noon, citing ongoing protests preventing the House from functioning.