New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday after persistent pandemonium prevented any discussion when the House reassembled at 5.15 pm.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh announced that he would call upon members to initiate a discussion on the National Honour Bill.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju then intervened, expressing disappointment that Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge had not asked his members to allow discussion on the Bill (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, despite repeatedly stressing its importance for the future of students.
Rijiju said the government had appealed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for a debate. He noted that the Business Advisory Committee had already allotted time for the legislation for discussion in the Lok Sabha and had now come to the Upper House. Despite his appeal, Opposition members paid no heed and continued raising slogans.
The minister further said the government had assured young people, and even the Prime Minister had promised, that a tougher law would come. He emphasised that both the Paper Leak Bill and the other legislation (The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Amendment Bill, 2026) already introduced needed serious discussion.
Rijiju pointed out that while Congress leaders claimed they were not allowed to speak outside Parliament, their members were creating a ruckus inside both Houses. He once again urged Kharge to make his members understand that the entire country wanted to hear the debate on the Bills, warning that such behaviour would have consequences as the youth of the nation were watching.
In response, Kharge said the Opposition was ready to discuss the matter provided Home Minister Amit Shah came to the House and made a statement explaining why the police had resorted to a lathi-charge on students. Seeing no let-up in the pandemonium and disorder, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House for the day.
The repeated disruptions once again prevented the conduct of legislative business in the Upper House during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
Earlier, the Upper House proceedings were adjourned till 5.15 p.m. on Monday amid pandemonium over the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The motion for discussion on the Bill was moved only after multiple earlier adjournments during the day. The discussion over the Bill could not be initiated.
(IANS)
