The Parliament witnessed more disruption than legislative work on Wednesday. BJP MPs chanted 'Jai Shri Ram,' while opposition MPs retorted with 'Assalamu Alaikum.' Proceedings had to be adjourned twice.
Parliament Slogans: The Parliament's monsoon session has once again been marred by uproar and sloganeering. On Wednesday, proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned twice. Heated arguments and sloganeering between the opposition and the ruling party disrupted parliamentary proceedings. This situation has persisted in more than 11 sittings since the beginning of the monsoon session, making it one of the least effective sessions to date.
Lok Sabha: Jai Shri Ram versus Assalamu Alaikum
The scene that unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday became a symbol of political polarization. As soon as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived in the House, BJP MPs greeted him by chanting "Jai Shri Ram." In response, opposition MPs reacted by saying "Assalamu Alaikum, Sir." This incident became symbolic not only of political opposition but also of the rhetoric surrounding religious identity. The video of this has gone viral on social media, and it is receiving b reactions from the general public.
Legislative Work Disrupted Due to Uproar
Although the government had set a target of passing five major bills on Wednesday, only one bill could be passed due to continuous opposition and uproar. The Lok Sabha passed the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Bill, 2024. Other bills remained under consideration.
Stalemate Continues in Rajya Sabha as well
The situation was not much different in the Rajya Sabha. A heated debate erupted between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP President JP Nadda when Kharge raised questions in the Upper House regarding the deployment of CISF personnel. Kharge argued that this was against parliamentary traditions. Meanwhile, Nadda rejected the allegation, saying that it was a step taken for security reasons.
A New Example of Political Polarization
The clash of religious slogans in the Lok Sabha indicates that Parliament is no longer just a platform for legislative work, but is also becoming a place to deliver religious and political messages. The use of slogans like "Jai Shri Ram" and "Assalamu Alaikum" shows that political parties are now beginning to use religion as a strategic tool.
The opposition parties allege that the government is avoiding discussion on pressing issues of public concern. The ruling party, on the other hand, claims that the opposition is only creating obstacles and not allowing Parliament to function. Both sides are accusing each other of violating democratic values.
