New Delhi, Aug 05 : Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held discussions with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday in an effort to find a way out of the ongoing stalemate in the Lok Sabha, sources said.
The outreach came shortly after the Lower House was adjourned until 2 pm following continued protests by opposition members over several issues, including alleged police action against students. The repeated disruptions have affected normal parliamentary functioning since the Monsoon Session began on July 20.
The Lok Sabha has so far been unable to conduct a complete Question Hour during the session, with several government bills being passed amid protests and without detailed debate. The continuing impasse has raised concerns among lawmakers over the effective functioning of parliamentary proceedings.
As the House assembled on Wednesday, Speaker Om Birla urged members to return to their seats and allow the Question Hour to proceed. He appealed to opposition MPs to maintain the dignity of the House and avoid raising slogans or displaying placards during proceedings.
“Sloganeering, whether inside or outside the House, is not good for democracy. By showing placards and raising slogans, you are lowering the dignity of the House,” Birla told protesting members.
The Speaker said several MPs had approached him regarding pending questions listed for discussion, but the proceedings were being disrupted due to continuous protests. He emphasised that parliamentary debates are essential for addressing public concerns and ensuring accountability.
The government’s latest communication effort with opposition leaders is aimed at restoring normal functioning in Parliament and ensuring that legislative business can continue smoothly. However, opposition parties have maintained that they will continue raising issues they consider important until their concerns are addressed.
The Monsoon Session has witnessed frequent confrontations between the treasury benches and opposition parties, leading to repeated adjournments and limited legislative discussions.
