The Rajya Sabha witnessed a dramatic walkout by Opposition MPs on Monday, following the stoppage of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who attempted to raise matters linked to the Lok Sabha. The protest was triggered by ongoing controversies surrounding Rahul Gandhi being disallowed from completing his speech and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from the Lower House.

Kharge, addressing the House soon after proceedings began at noon, argued that he was raising constitutional concerns and highlighted that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha was not being permitted to speak. Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan allowed Kharge to speak but strictly barred references to Lok Sabha proceedings and ruled that such remarks would not be recorded in the House proceedings.

Despite repeated attempts to be heard, Kharge and other Opposition leaders were prevented from addressing their points. This led to slogans accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of insulting women parliamentarians, with Opposition members—including several all-India bloc parties—joining the protest. After several minutes of sloganeering, the MPs staged a walkout, and Question Hour proceeded amid continued disruptions.

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The ongoing unrest in Parliament began on February 3 when Rahul Gandhi was stopped from quoting excerpts from former Army Chief M.M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir relating to the 2020 India-China conflict. Since then, eight Opposition MPs have been suspended from the Lok Sabha, and tensions have escalated over allegations against women MPs and the Prime Minister’s absence.

On February 5, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla cited “concrete information” suggesting potential disruptions by Congress MPs near the Prime Minister’s seat, prompting Modi to skip the House that day. Subsequently, several Congress women MPs wrote to the Speaker, alleging pressure and wrongful accusations related to the absence.

Several Opposition parties have now decided to move a resolution seeking the removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker. The political standoff underscores deepening tensions in Parliament, with both Houses witnessing heightened disputes over procedure, privileges, and freedom of speech within legislative proceedings.

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