Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Thursday following a series of disruptions triggered by BJP member Nishikant Dubey’s controversial remarks targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Dubey accused Gandhi of having ties to a US-based billionaire investor, citing a report by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
The day saw multiple adjournments, with the House briefly resuming at 3 pm to pass the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024. However, the opposition’s protests continued, preventing the House from conducting its business. Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the session, attempted to maintain order by requesting Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to address the debate, but the protests persisted, leading to another adjournment.
Earlier, during Zero Hour, Dubey alleged that the opposition, particularly the Congress, had been attempting to derail parliamentary proceedings by highlighting findings from the OCCRP report. The report suggested links between the opposition and the billionaire investor. Congress members strongly objected to these remarks, resulting in a ruckus in the House. As the protests intensified, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings until 2 pm.
When the House reconvened at 2 pm, similar scenes of disruption were observed, with opposition members protesting Dubey’s accusations. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the opposition’s behavior, calling it unacceptable and demeaning to the dignity of Parliament. He also referred to the opposition’s attire, particularly black jackets with slogans such as “Modi Adani Ek Hai” and “Adani Safe Hai,” worn by members of the INDIA bloc. Rijiju condemned the protests, stating that such actions would not yield electoral gains.
In his speech, Dubey further claimed that the opposition, aided by the media outlet OCCRP, had been attempting to undermine India’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He linked the opposition’s actions to previous controversies, including the Pegasus spyware scandal, doubts about India’s COVID-19 vaccines, and the Hindenburg report.
As protests escalated, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi attempted to counter Dubey’s allegations, particularly in the context of violence in Sambhal. Gogoi defended Rahul Gandhi, stressing his commitment to peace and accusing the BJP of spreading falsehoods.
With the uproar continuing unabated, Speaker Jagdambika Pal once again adjourned the proceedings for the day, bringing a close to a tumultuous session.
