The Challenges of the Monsoon Session of Parliament

 by Bhavika Chandwani


Days were gone when the operation of both chambers of Parliament was shaped by constructive discussions and discussions on topics of national significance and public interest.

Disruptions, much to the dismay of many, have now taken center stage and have become the rule rather than the exception. The Parliament's monsoon session was a flop, with no significant debates or discussions on a plethora of issues affecting the country. This does not bode well for our parliamentary system.

On 11th August, the monsoon session of Parliament concluded two days ahead of schedule, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha adjourning sine die.

The session had started off on a sour note in the light of the Pegasus snooping scandal, with opposition members disrupting proceedings on a regular basis.

Members of the opposition parties flocked to the well every day throughout the session, shouting anti-government slogans and waving banners, demanding a discussion on the Pegasus spying case and the repeal of three agricultural legislation.


The Lok Sabha was only in session for 21 hours during the Monsoon Session, and its output was barely 22%. There were 17 sittings in the lower house. The Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, had a 28 percent productivity rate. In the upper house, 17 sittings lasted a total of 28 hours and 21 minutes. Due to interruptions, up to 76 hours and 26 minutes were lost.

If the opposition is responsible for causing chaos and slowing Parliamentary proceedings over the Pegasus spyware problem, the BJP governing regime cannot claim high moral ground and must accept responsibility for refusing to give the opposition any room.

The fact that it rammed through twenty crucial bills without even a smidgeon of debate during this monsoon session lends weight to its claim to be more authoritative and intolerant of opposition.

The BJP leadership's repeated attempts to stonewall criticism and portray the whole opposition as a band of disruptors, indicating its incapacity to govern the house, had also left a lot to be desired.

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