Parliament Day 1 Ends In Chaos As Opposition Demands Discussion On Manipur Violence; Both Houses Adjourned

The first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament saw scenes of uproar as opposition parties demanded a discussion on the deteriorating state of affairs in Manipur. Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, witnessed continuous sloganeering by the opposition. Both houses were adjourned for the day. The session will resume on Friday.

In Rajya Sabha, when the session resumed after 2 pm, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar requested that the listed papers be tabled. However, members of the Opposition began raising slogans as Union Minister Anurag Thakur moved to introduce the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the upper house, demanded a discussion on the Manipur issue but was not granted the opportunity. Despite Dhankhar's call for maintaining decorum, the continuous sloganeering forced the adjournment of the House for the day.

In Lok Sabha too, opposition members created an uproar, raising slogans of "Manipur Manipur" and "Manipur is burning" while ministers tried to lay their papers. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi reiterated the government's readiness for a discussion on Manipur in both Houses of Parliament. However, the unrelenting sloganeering led Kirit Solanki, who was chairing the proceedings, to adjourn the Lok Sabha till tomorrow.

The violence in Manipur had also become a focal point for the newly formed 'INDIA' alliance, with opposition leaders prioritising it as a key agenda. Seeking to address the issue comprehensively, leaders from various opposition parties submitted adjournment notices in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, slamming the government for lack of timely response and hoping for a debate on the matter this Parliament session. 

During a customary pre-session practice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a brief conversation with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, setting an example of camaraderie across party lines. Earlier, opposition party leaders had met at the chamber of Mallikarjun Kharge in the Parliament complex to strategise their joint efforts.