The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 PM on Monday as opposition MPs disrupted proceedings, demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar, overshadowing a proposed debate to honor astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged all MPs to rise above politics and join a special discussion celebrating Shukla’s achievement and India’s space ambitions, but the opposition’s protests led to repeated adjournments.

Rijiju, in a post on X, called Shukla “our hero astronaut” and highlighted the significance of his successful Axiom-4 mission, which marked India’s first human spaceflight in 41 years. “Parliament will honor him with a discussion on his historic milestone and India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat by 2047,” Rijiju wrote, urging MPs to participate with the same enthusiasm shown during the Operation Sindoor debate. The proposed discussion, titled “India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station – Critical Role of the Space Programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047,” aims to celebrate Shukla’s contribution and ISRO’s advancements.

However, opposition MPs, including those from Congress, stormed the Well of the House, raising slogans like “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” (vote thief, vacate the chair) and displaying placards demanding a debate on the SIR exercise, which they allege is designed to disenfranchise voters ahead of Bihar’s assembly elections. Despite Speaker Om Birla’s attempts to proceed with the Question Hour and warnings against damaging government property, the protests persisted. Birla remarked that the opposition’s energy would be better used for public welfare issues, but adjourned the House until noon after 15 minutes of chaos.

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Amid the din, BJP member Sandhya Ray, presiding over the session, facilitated the introduction of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill and the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, with the former referred to a select committee. The disruptions reflect ongoing tensions, as the Monsoon session, starting July 21, has seen limited progress due to repeated adjournments over Operation Sindoor and SIR. The opposition’s focus on electoral issues continues to stall discussions on significant achievements like Shukla’s space mission, highlighting deep political divides.

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