Monsoon Session: Both Houses adjourned over Pegasus row

As the Opposition stalled proceedings over the Pegasus Project controversy, Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice till 1 pm while Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm.

New Delhi: Following a stormy session of Parliament on July 19 over the Pegasus snooping row, the Opposition's furore in both Houses continued on Tuesday too. As the Opposition stalled proceedings, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice till 1 pm while the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm. The Houses met for the day at 11 am only to be adjourned a few minutes later. Opposition leaders sloganeered intensely and sought suspension of business to discuss the snooping issue. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said there were 15 notices on various issues and many for Zero Hour.

When the Upper House reconvened at 1 PM after two adjournments, YSR Congress members led by V Vijaysai Reddy trooped in the well shouting slogans, "We want justice. We want special status to Andhra Pradesh."

Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh asked protesting members several times to go back to their seats and allow the debate on the COVID-19 pandemic. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal appealed to the protesting members to allow discussion on the important issue that has affected the entire humanity. "I would like to appeal to allow the House to discuss this very important subject that is affecting the whole world today. Entire country is watching us, watching this debate on Covid. Request you to discuss this important matter," he said. However, the protesting members did not yield to the Deputy Chairman's request to keep the House in order and continued shouting standing in the Well.

On Monday, newly inducted Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a suo moto remark, chose to rubbish the snooping controversy in the Rajya Sabha. He slammed media reports that alleged the government's possible involvement in the snooping, stating they were of no substance whatsoever. Vaishnaw said the reports were an attempt to malign Indian democracy and its well-established institutions.

The ruling BJP had on Monday held a parliamentary meeting before the commencement of the proceedings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and all MPs of the party were present in the meeting. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned three times on Monday while Lok Sabha was adjourned two times on the first day of the Monsoon Session. The session would conclude on August 13. A total of 31 bills are proposed to be introduced in Parliament.

(with agency inputs)