LS adjourned for the day as Opposition protests student crackdown, Ram Temple row

Parliament's Monsoon Session remained marred by disruption on Monday (August 3) as the Opposition stepped up its protests over the alleged crackdown on student demonstrators during the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march and the alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Minutes after both Houses assembled, slogan-shouting brought proceedings to a halt. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned until 2 pm, with repeated interruptions leaving little room for business. The session has now entered its third week, with only nine sitting days left.

After the Lok Sabha reconvened, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill for consideration amid din. The Bill to increase number of Supreme Court Judges from 34 to 38, including CJI, was passed by voice vote without any discussion as the Opposition continued with its protest. Later, the House was adjourned for the day and will meet tomorrow (August 4) at 11 am.

Disruptions continue

Despite the disruptions, the government moved ahead with parts of its legislative agenda.

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, which seeks to update the law governing evidence contained in bankers' records in line with digital banking practices.

Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh tabled the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, which proposes a statutory basis for the institute.

Bills on agenda

The Centre is also reportedly expected to push for the passage of legislation to increase the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges to 37. In the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi is scheduled to move the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for consideration and passage.

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According to Opposition leaders, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill is also likely to be taken up later in the session, Hindustan Times reported.

During the first two weeks of the Monsoon Session, Parliament cleared the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

Opposition protest

Outside Parliament, INDIA bloc MPs renewed their protest at Makar Dwar.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined MPs from several Opposition parties as they placed donation boxes to symbolise the alleged diversion of Ram Temple funds.

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Protesters raised slogans including "chhanda chor, gaddi chor" and "Amit Shah sadan mein aao". They also stood behind a banner reading, "Why Amit Shah absent from Parliament."

Some MPs dropped cash into the boxes as part of the demonstration, saying it represented donations that were later stolen. The protest followed a similar demonstration held on Friday, when Opposition MPs staged a skit on the same issue.

Demand for answers

The Opposition has continued to demand discussions in both Houses on the Ram Temple donation controversy and the police action against student protesters.

Since the session began, Opposition parties have sought responses from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said, "As we enter the 3rd week of this Parliament Session, we still wait for Amit Shah to break his cowardly silence and give an answer to Parliament on the brutal assault on peaceful protesters."

"Our protests outside Parliament, and on the floor of both Houses, will continue until the Government is held accountable,” he added.

(With agency inputs)