August 5, 2025

During the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament on August 5, 2025, significant tensions unfolded in the Rajya Sabha as Congress president and Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised concerns over the alleged deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel within the House. This issue was highlighted in a letter he submitted to the Deputy Chairperson, Harivansh, on August 1, which triggered a chain of protests and disagreements. Mr. Kharge's remarks led to immediate reactions within the House, resulting in its adjournment until 2 p.m. following a series of objections and protests from the Opposition. The Deputy Chairperson addressed the claims by denying any CISF presence, which he insisted was purely composed of House Marshals responsible for maintaining decorum. In defense of the protests, Mr. Kharge asserted that the right to protest was an integral part of the Opposition's duties, questioning the authority under which the House was being managed. He provocatively asked if decisions were being made by the Chair or under the influence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In response, Mr. Harivansh emphasized the need to uphold the dignity of the House, recalling a recent incident where protesting members caused disruptions by surrounding those speaking and shouting slogans near their microphones. These actions, he stated, were disrespectful and undermined the procedural decorum expected within Parliament. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also weighed in, accusing Mr. Kharge of misleading the House regarding the CISF presence. He reinforced the notion that only Marshals were present for security, dismissing the accusation as an attempt to create unrest. In a shared sentiment, Leader of the House, J.P. Nadda, criticized the Opposition for their so-called undemocratic behavior, labeling the protests as "anarchism". He clarified that individuals maintaining order were official Marshals, not members of any paramilitary forces, reiterating the legitimacy of their role in ensuring decorum in the Parliament. Despite the attempts by the government to quell the protests, disruption continued, prompting further adjournment of the House. The atmosphere in the Lok Sabha mirrored the chaos in the Rajya Sabha, with Opposition parties similarly protesting over various concerns, prominently the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. As a result, the Lok Sabha was also adjourned shortly after convening, reflecting widespread unrest among the Opposition ranks. The day’s events underscore the heightened tension within Parliament as various factions vie for attention on critical issues facing the country.

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Tags: Parliament, Opposition, Cisf, Rajya sabha, Protests,