Lok Sabha adjourned for fourth day in a row; Priyanka slams treasury benches as Goa ST bill remains stalled

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday as opposition MPs created a ruckus over various issues, prompting multiple suspensions of proceedings and ultimately halting the day’s legislative business.

As TDP leader Krishna Prasad Tenneti took over as Chair, opposition members began raising slogans and waving placards, demanding an immediate discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, among other matters.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, reacting to the ongoing deadlock, pointed out that disruptions in the last session were often initiated by treasury bench members themselves. “As a new MP, to see that the disruption was actually starting from the treasury benches. I was taken aback that they would deliberately raise a topic to provoke a reaction, leading to chaos and eventually an adjournment of the House. It seems to be suiting them just fine,” she told reporters.

The protests drowned out scheduled proceedings, including the presentation of party committee reports by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and matters under Rule 377 raised by Janardan Mishra relating to rural development and Panchayati Raj.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal attempted to introduce the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, a significant piece of legislation aimed at ensuring ST representation in Goa’s Legislative Assembly for the first time.

However, the opposition refused to relent, forcing Meghwal to express disappointment over the continued disruption. “This is a historic opportunity for Scheduled Tribes in Goa. You are denying them a voice in the House,” he said, accusing the opposition of blocking discussions on tribal rights.

“You don’t want this House to discuss the rights of the Scheduled Tribes. This is not the behavior expected in the world’s largest democracy,” Meghwal added.

Despite repeated requests from the Chair urging members to restore order and return to their seats, the protests continued unabated. Acting Speaker Tenneti reminded the House that waving placards violated Parliamentary norms.

With no resolution in sight, the House was adjourned till Friday. This marks the fourth straight day of disruptions in the monsoon session, with the opposition demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response on the Bihar voter roll revision, Operation Sindoor, and the Pahalgam terror attack.

As the stalemate continues, concerns are mounting over whether key legislation, including bills on tribal representation and maritime law, will be addressed before the session concludes on August 21.