Lok Sabha adjourned thrice amid Opposition pandemonium over Pegasus, other issues
New Delhi: Pandemonium prevailed as the Centre tried to introduce bills in the Lok Sabha House. It was strongly opposed by the opposition leaders, who were demanding a discussion on the alleged snooping by the government and other issues.
An acrimonious scene led to the speaker adjourning the House till 11.30 am.
Lok Sabha proceedings had to be adjourned thrice following an uproar by the opposition, demanding discussion on a range of issues. The House met in the morning, and immediately, Opposition members sought to raise various issues, including the Pegasus spyware controversy. An acrimonious scene followed with opposition members shouting slogans when the speaker adjourned the House till 11.30 am.
The Question hour resumed at 11.30 am. The opposition members again started shouting slogans and rushed towards the well of the House. Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the Chair, asked members to go back to their seats.
Agrawal pleaded, “Question Hour is a medium to discuss issues. Please participate in this”
The pandemonium continued, and soon, he adjourned the House till noon.
According to The Hindu, the House again assembled at noon, and Agrawal, who was in the chair, permitted papers related to different ministries to be tabled in the House.
Three bills tabled in Lok Sabha
Later, he allowed Aayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to introduce The National Commission for Homoeopathy (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Amendment) Bill, 2021 amidst strong opposition.
The bill was opposed by TMC member Saugata Roy who said he opposed the introduction of the Homeopathy bill as it would be unfavorable to the Homeopathy profession. However, Sonowal defended the bill and said that it is very important for the country and members should appreciate it.
Veteran Congress leader Manish Tewari termed the placing of the bills amidst opposition protests as tantamount to violation of the Constitution.
After tabling two bills, Agrawal Agarwal allowed Social Justice and Empowerment minister Virendra Kumar to introduce The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury vehemently opposed the bills and said that when the whole opposition was demanding a debate on alleged snooping by Pegasus spyware, the government was ignoring the demand.
Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Meghwal strongly opposed Mr. Chowdhury’s contention and said that the government is ready to discuss all issues.
The protests continued, and Agrawal adjourned the House till 12.30 pm.
It was a solemn moment earlier when Speaker Om Birla, on behalf of the House, paid tributes to those who had participated in the Quit India Movement. The members stood in silence for a brief moment to pay their respects to the freedom fighters who laid down their lives in the Quit India Movement.
The nation is commemorating the 79th anniversary of the Quit India Movement launched in 1942 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
Birla also congratulated the medal winners at the just-concluded Olympic Games in Tokyo. Members also lustily cheered and thumped their desks when the name of Neeraj Chopra, who won the gold medal in the javelin throw at the Olympics, was mentioned.
