SRINAGAR: The Monsoon session of the 18th Lok Sabha concluded on Thursday as Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House sine die, as per multiple media reports, sending a sitting dominated by Opposition protests over the special revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls ahead of the state Assembly polls in November.
In his valedictory address, Speaker Birla expressed concern over “persistent disruptions” and the use of placards and slogans, which he described as an “insult to the democratic spirit.” Despite 120 hours being allocated for discussion, only 37 hours were utilised, with just 55 of the 419 starred questions answered.
“This is not just a procedural failure, it is a breach of public trust,” Birla said, urging members to uphold parliamentary dignity.
The session saw the introduction of 14 bills and the passage of 12, including the Income Tax Bill, the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, the National Sports Governance Bill, and the Online Gaming Regulation Bill. The 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
Key discussions included a two-day debate on Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, and the felicitation of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his space mission to the International Space Station.
However, proceedings were repeatedly disrupted as Opposition members raised slogans of “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod” and pressed for a JPC probe into electoral roll revisions in Bihar. The Speaker declined adjournment motions but allowed the presentation of committee reports and ministerial papers before adjournment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the concluding proceedings. Before closing the session, Narendra Modi thanked members for their contributions and urged future sittings to “recommit to deliberation, dignity, and democratic responsibility.”
