LIVE: Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast; CJP now seeks PM Modi’s resignation

Congress accuses PM Modi of ignoring key issues in Parliament speech

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks at the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, accusing him of ignoring several issues that the Opposition intends to raise during the session.

In a post on X, Ramesh said the Prime Minister "started off the Monsoon Session of Parliament with his usual litany of platitudes" and alleged that he failed to address matters of public concern.

Listing the Opposition's priorities, Ramesh referred to the alleged "Chanda Chori Aastha Dhoka" linked to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the "NEET UG 2026 paper leak and the CBSE Grade 12 Board Examinations fiasco," which he said had "enraged the yuva shakti."

He also accused the government of using "dirty tricks and financial incentives" to split Opposition parties and alleged that "credible accusations of corruption and conflict of interest" were affecting several Union ministers and chief ministers.

Ramesh further claimed the Centre was attempting to "subvert our democracy and the federal set-up of the Constitution" through the delimitation process, the proposed One Nation One Election initiative, and the VBSA Bill.

Sonam Wangchuk seeks hospital discharge to join Parliament march

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday appealed to doctors at Safdarjung Hospital to allow him to leave, saying his condition had improved enough for him to join the "Sansad Chalo" march to Parliament organised by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and other activists.

Wangchuk, admitted on July 18 after completing 21 days of his hunger strike over alleged failures in the education system, said in a note shared on X, "I am feeling very fine today and my health parameters are also showing as quite normal." He urged hospital authorities to let him participate in the march, adding, "I request you to kindly allow me to leave the hospital... so that I can join the March to the Parliament."

As protesters continued their march, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said, "We are in talks (with the government)." Police earlier dispersed demonstrators heading towards Parliament, while security remained tight amid the Monsoon Session.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12.30pm

The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 12.30 pm on the opening day of the Monsoon Session amid Opposition ruckus.

Meghwal introduces SC judges Bill amid Opposition ruckus

Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduces Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill in the House amid ruckus by Opposition MPs.

Protester alleges lathi-charge after crowd rush at protest

A protester injured during Monday's demonstration claimed the situation turned chaotic when the convoy of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief Chandrashekhar Azad arrived at the protest site.

"We were standing on the sides when the commotion happened. Chandrashekhar Azad was passing. People started moving out of control," the protester, identified as Sanyam, said as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

According to Sanyam, police attempted to bring the crowd under control by resorting to a lathi-charge. "Police tried to control the crowd by lathicharging on the protesters," he said.

He alleged that the ensuing push and shove caused his friend to fall onto a nearby glass sheet. "The push and shove made my friend fall head first on a glass sheet placed nearby. He got injured in the head. My hands got hurt," Sanyam added.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon; Kharge raises NEET paper leak issue

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Monday and will reconvene at 12 noon.

Before the adjournment, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the alleged NEET paper leak and examination scandal, calling it an issue that directly affects the future of lakhs of students across the country.

Addressing the Chair, Kharge said he had been allowed to present his views on the matter and argued that students' concerns deserved urgent attention. Referring to protests at Jantar Mantar, he claimed that thousands of students had gathered over the issue and alleged that a lathi-charge had taken place at the protest site.

Kharge also accused the government of attempting to suppress dissent through the use of force, alleging that authorities were trying to silence protesters and disperse the gathering.

CJP says talks on with the authorities as protesters press march to Parliament

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders continued their push for a march to Parliament on Monday despite heavy police deployment during the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Chief spokesperson Saurav Das was taken to the Deputy Commissioner's office as discussions with the administration progressed. "We are in talks (with the government)," Das told ANI.

Police used a mild lathi charge to stop protesters moving from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, where prohibitory orders remain in force. Das said the government had initiated discussions only recently and added that "the ball is in their court."

At the protest site, Gitanjali Angmo urged demonstrators to remain peaceful. "We will focus on this march. Three points are very important today. First, we will focus on conducting the march peacefully. Let us stay focused on the issue- the issue of education, which is a vital need for this country and remain vigilant," she said.

Sonam Wangchuk reiterated he would end his hunger strike if the government accepted responsibility for examination failures or Parliament assured a debate on education accountability.

Mahua Moitra slams Lok Sabha seating changes, targets rebels

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Monday criticised the Centre and the Lok Sabha Speaker over the seating arrangements for rebel TMC MPs, alleging that legislators facing disqualification proceedings had been accorded official recognition.

Referring to the seating changes in the Lok Sabha, Moitra said, "...Today we have seen that these 20 renegade traitor MPs whose disqualification petitions are pending, who claim to have joined an unrecognised party NCPI but their merger has not been approved by the Speaker - yet they were invited to the All party meeting yesterday. All the Opposition walked our in protest, today we see that the Govt has changed the seats."

She also took a swipe at the new seating allocation, saying, "There used to be Treasury Bench and Opposition Bench. Today, a new category has come, the Traitor Bench. Sudip Bandyopadhyay is going to be sitting in the front as the leader of the Traitor Bench. This is a new day in the Parliamentary democracy."

Speaker reshuffles Lok Sabha seats, Sudip Bandyopadhyay in front row

Speaker Om Birla changes seating arrangements for MP. Rebel Trinamool leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay recognised as floor leader of the NCPI and given a front row seat. Bandyopadhyay will now sit next to the SP's Akhilesh Yadav and Awdhesh Prasad.

Meanwhile, the Speaker is yet to decide on the DMK's request for new seating arrangements for its MPs. As Lok Sabha convened on Monday (July 20), DMK MP TR Baalu was still seated in the front row alongside Congres's Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal.

The DMK has asked the Speaker to allocate its MPs seats away from the Congress after the alliance between the two parties ended in March.

Delhi HC to hear Wangchuk wife's plea over hospital transfer today

The Delhi High Court agreed to urgently hear an appeal filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging a single judge's refusal to intervene in his treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. The matter was listed before a bench led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya after senior advocate Akhil Sibal argued the earlier order had "misinterpreted" the court's July 16 directions.

Sibal contended Wangchuk was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar and should be allowed treatment at a hospital of his choice. "Autonomy can't be taken away," he argued, stressing the right to choose medical care.

Angmo's appeal claimed the order overlooked "informed consent" and denied Wangchuk control over his treatment. The single judge had ruled the government acted lawfully, saying it was "within its right" to shift him due to his condition. The court added, "It is to be noted that the ultimate decision with regard to the medical condition of Mr Wangchuk would be monitored by the medical team attending him, which shall take a decision as per the medical protocol."