New Delhi, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Rajya Sabha proceedings on Thursday witnessed heated exchanges between Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju as Opposition members continued protests demanding the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in the House.
Despite repeated slogans of “Grih Mantri Sadan Mein Aao”, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan allowed Question Hour to continue after the House reassembled at noon. He assured Opposition members that the Leader of Opposition would be given an opportunity to speak after the initial questions were taken up.
After Question Hour, Kharge was invited to address the House, leading to a sharp exchange between him and Rijiju over the interpretation of parliamentary rules.
Kharge said Opposition members were attempting to raise issues of national importance and reiterated their demand for the Prime Minister and Home Minister to respond in the House. He asserted that it was his right to decide “how to speak, what to speak and when to speak”.
Referring to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Kharge said disruptions were a part of democracy and maintained that members had the right to raise issues concerning the public.
The Leader of Opposition also accused Rijiju of incorrectly interpreting parliamentary rules. He alleged that the minister referred to Rule 239 while ignoring Rule 238, which bars members from making personal, defamatory or incriminating allegations against other members. Kharge also objected to earlier remarks involving Congress leader Pawan Khera.
Responding to Kharge, Rijiju clarified that he had referred to Rule 240 and said Opposition members were repeatedly raising matters that had already been addressed with the Chair’s permission.
Rijiju said he had always supported giving opportunities to new members and pointed out that Pawan Khera, being a newly elected member, had not yet delivered his maiden speech. He added that new members should also get a chance to participate in proceedings.
On the demand for the Home Minister’s presence, Rijiju said members could make requests but could not dictate which minister should attend the House. He said all ministers were collectively responsible for the functioning of the government.
Chairman Radhakrishnan said he wanted to ensure adequate opportunities for new members and noted that one member was yet to make a maiden speech. However, he also asked the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to respect the sentiments of Opposition members seeking the Home Minister’s presence.
The Chairman firmly stated that no rule allowed members to raise slogans against the Chair.
As protests continued, the Chairman attempted to resume Question Hour and called upon member John Brittas to speak. However, after Brittas thanked the Chair for directing the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Radhakrishnan did not allow further discussion on the matter and adjourned the House until 2:15 pm amid continued protests.
Earlier during Question Hour, RJD member Manoj Jha raised a question regarding measures taken to ensure representation of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities in the higher judiciary.
Responding on behalf of the government, Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said the government regularly sends recommendations for inclusion of judges from SC and ST communities in the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), which governs the appointment and transfer of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
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