Opposition's ruckus forces adjournment of Rajya Sabha proceedings

In the Rajya Sabha, Communist Party of India (Marxist) member John Brittas accused a ruling party woman member of using derogatory language against him, leading to a heated exchange between the ruling and opposition members, forcing the House to adjourn proceedings till 2 pm. The Monsoon session has so far seen no day pass without disruptions, with most of the proceedings taking place amidst opposition protests or walkouts.

The session is in its final week, with the last day scheduled for Thursday, as per the scheduled program. Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan allowed Mr. Brittas to speak after he tabled legislative documents in the House. Mr. Brittas alleged that when he was speaking in the House, a ruling party woman member tried to interrupt him, calling him "lungi-wala" repeatedly.

The Marxist Communist Party member said, "We are all Indians, and I take pride in being an Indian, a South Indian, speaking Malayalam, and wearing my attire." He stated that diversity is the identity of our country and that the member's behavior was an insult to the House.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said all members in the House are equal and are Indians. He suggested that if any member has shown derogatory behavior, the Chairman should call the concerned member to his chamber and resolve the issue.

The Chairman said the matter has come to his knowledge and appealed to all members to not use derogatory language against fellow members. He asked the concerned members to come to his chamber to discuss the matter.

Leader of the House Jagat Prakash Nadda said that since Mr. Brittas was given a chance to speak, the member, Sushmita Dev, who has been accused, also wants to present her stance and should be given a chance to speak in the House.

During this, members from both sides continued to trade allegations, with ruling party woman members countering the opposition members. The Chairman appealed to both sides to remain calm, but when it had no effect, he adjourned the House proceedings till 2 pm.

Kharge wanted to raise the issue of Home Minister Amit Shah's continuous absence from the House when a bill related to his ministry was being introduced. Nadda strongly objected, saying the opposition leader was trying to mislead the House and avoid discussion.

In the 2 pm session, as Minister of State for Cooperation Murli Dhar Mohol stood up to introduce the National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Congress and several other opposition parties started protesting.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh allowed the discussion on the cooperation-related bill before the Kerala (Name Change) Bill 2026, citing a request by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju.

During the discussion, Trinamool Congress member Mamtata Thakur was called to speak, but instead of speaking on the bill, she demanded an explanation from Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue of young protesters in Delhi.

Deputy Chairman did not allow it. Later, during the speech of BJP member Ram Rao Wadakut, Kharge stood up. Deputy Chairman, showing respect to the opposition leader, allowed him to speak.

Kharge expressed displeasure over Amit Shah's continuous absence from the House, saying, "The person whose name is on the bill should be called to introduce it."

Harivansh rejected his demand and gave Leader of the House J.P. Nadda a chance to speak. Mr. Nadda said, "They are trying to mislead the House; you are avoiding discussion."

After the bitter exchange, Congress member Premod Tiwari tried to raise a point of order but was not allowed. This led to Congress and its allied parties walking out of the House.

During the discussion, several ruling party members criticized the opposition's walkout, saying it was an important bill for farmers' income and the rural economy.

Janata Dal (United) president and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar participated in the discussion, with party member Sanjay Kumar Jha supporting the bill. He said, "In Bihar, during the Congress rule, we saw the loot of the cooperative mafia; cooperative sugar mills were shut down."

He credited Nitish Kumar for the 'Sudha Dairy' cooperative in Bihar, saying the cooperative sector has changed under his leadership in the last 20 years.

In 2006, the old system of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act was abolished, and paddy procurement was done directly through primary societies. He informed that the central government agency, India Potash Limited, has adopted two mills, which will be operational in two years.

He termed the bill a revolutionary step, saying it will give a boost to the processing of agricultural products and help products like Makhanah from Bihar reach the global market.

Nationalist Congress Party member Rajendra Hiralal Jain termed the bill crucial for the rural economy. TDP members Vijay Chinthala and Ravi Chandra Badi Raju also supported the bill.

BJP member Amarpal Moria supported the bill, saying that during the Samajwadi Party rule in Uttar Pradesh, 16 cooperative sugar mills were handed over to one family.

BJP member Sadanand Mahalo Shirole Tanavade praised the "farsighted bill" and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

AIADMK member Dr. M. Dhanpal supported the bill, calling it a welcome step that will strengthen cooperative institutions.

UPPL member Pramod Boro termed the bill a good step, saying it will bring necessary reforms to the cooperative sector.

BJP member Bansi Lal Gurjar said the bill has incorporated provisions to meet current needs by amending a nearly six-decade-old law.

BJP member Dr. Alka Gurjar said the government's cooperative scheme is empowering youth, farmers, and women. She said the government is using technology in the cooperative sector, making their work easier.

She stated that the government is providing jobs to youth through the Bharat Taxi scheme.