Parliament Chaos Backfires: Opposition’s Disruptions Hurt Themselves More, Says Kiren Rijiju!
Rijiju slams Opposition for Parliament disruptions, says they hurt themselves more.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dropped a bombshell at the Sansad Ratna Awards, declaring that the Opposition’s relentless disruptions in Parliament are sabotaging their own cause. Speaking at the event organized by the Prime Point Foundation, Rijiju argued that frequent adjournments rob Opposition MPs of their chance to grill the government, ultimately weakening their role in democracy.
“The Opposition thinks stalling the House hurts the government, but they’re shooting themselves in the foot,” Rijiju said, noting that bureaucrats quietly celebrate when Parliament shuts down, escaping tough scrutiny. “When the House runs, ministers face hard questions. When it adjourns in minutes, those questions vanish.”
Rijiju, reflecting on his pre-2014 days on the Opposition benches, emphasized unity over rivalry. Quoting Winston Churchill, he quipped, “Opponents sit across the aisle, but enemies are on your own side. Politics isn’t enmity.” He highlighted the unique pressures on Indian MPs, who represent over 20 lakh people compared to 66,000 in developed nations, juggling local grievances while expected to shine in Parliament.
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The minister also took aim at media sensationalism, lamenting that today’s headlines reward ruckus over substance. “Once, Sharad Pawar’s stellar agriculture policy got no coverage, but disruptions make front pages. MPs chase TRPs because good work goes unnoticed,” he said, urging journalists to focus on constructive debates.
Rijiju’s remarks come after a chaotic first week of the 2025 Monsoon Session, marred by Opposition protests over issues like the Bihar voter roll revision and Operation Sindoor. Despite agreements for discussions, placards and sloganeering derailed proceedings, prompting Rijiju to call out the “double standards” of Congress and its allies.
Congratulating Sansad Ratna Award recipients like Supriya Sule and Bhartruhari Mahtab for their consistent excellence, Rijiju urged MPs to rise above party lines and celebrate good work. He also shared a lighthearted memory of being scolded by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee for requesting a smoking room, a lesson in approaching Parliament with purpose.
National Commission for Backward Classes Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir added fuel to the fire, criticizing Opposition members for tarnishing India’s image abroad while claiming to follow Babasaheb Ambedkar.
With a 32-hour debate on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack scheduled for July 28, Rijiju expressed hope for smoother sessions, urging the Opposition to honor agreements and prioritize democracy over drama.
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