Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were disrupted on Monday after opposition members staged strong protests, preventing Prime Minister Narendra Modi from replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.
As the Prime Minister stood up to speak, several opposition MPs raised slogans and moved into the well of the House. The noise and protests made it difficult for the House to function normally.
The Speaker repeatedly appealed to members to maintain order and allow the Prime Minister to speak. However, the protests continued, forcing the House to be adjourned for a short period.
The opposition MPs said they were protesting against various government policies and demanded answers on key issues. They insisted that their concerns be addressed before allowing further proceedings.
The ruling party criticised the opposition for disrupting parliamentary work. Government leaders said the Prime Minister’s reply to the Motion of Thanks is an important part of parliamentary discussion and should not be interrupted.
The Motion of Thanks is a formal debate where both sides discuss the government’s plans and performance based on the President’s Address. The Prime Minister’s reply usually brings the debate to a close.
Due to the continued disruptions, the Prime Minister could not complete his reply as scheduled. Parliamentary officials said efforts would be made to resume the discussion when the House meets again.
The incident once again highlights rising tensions between the government and the opposition inside Parliament.