Kiren Rijiju Defends Parliament Functioning Amid Opposition Protests

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said Parliament was functioning despite disruptions by Opposition parties, asserting that government business was continuing and Bills were being passed during the ongoing Monsoon Session. He also ruled out any proposal for a special session of Parliament, saying there was no such plan while the current session was already underway.

Rijiju said discussions in both Houses had been affected due to protests, slogan-shouting and disruptions by the Congress and other Opposition parties. However, he maintained that parliamentary proceedings had continued, with NDA members participating in debates and legislative business being carried out.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju highlighted the passage of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha after it received approval from the Rajya Sabha. He said the passage of Bills indicated that Parliament was functioning despite the disruptions witnessed during the session.

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The minister criticised Opposition protests, saying they were limiting opportunities for newly elected MPs to participate in debates. He claimed that while senior Opposition leaders were staging protests, several first-time MPs from their parties were unable to raise issues and contribute to parliamentary discussions.

Rijiju also responded to demands for extending the Monsoon Session, stating that there was no question of discussing a special session while the existing session was in progress. He urged Opposition members to allow discussions in the House and said Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s presence in Parliament reflected the government’s commitment to legislative proceedings.

The MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha, provides for a national digital platform for free and voluntary registration of MSMEs, allows states to establish additional Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils and introduces graded penalties by replacing conviction-based fines for certain offences.

Rijiju also raised the issues of delimitation and women’s reservation, accusing the Congress of opposing women’s representation. He said the government was committed to providing women with greater representation and claimed that opposition to such measures would have political consequences for the Congress.

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