Parliament Disruptions Continue: Opposition Protests Over Ram Temple Donation Scam and Bankers’ Books Bill Passed Without Debate

Parliamentary Turmoil on Day 13 of the Monsoon Session For the 13th straight day, both houses of the Indian Parliament witnessed intense disruptions. Opposition members protested the alleged Ram Temple donation scam and demanded a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on a recent police action against demonstrators. The government offered no assurance on either demand. Key Developments Opposition MPs entered the Well of the House of the Lok Sabha as soon as it convened and shouted slogans. Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 2 p.m. after repeated appeals for order. When the House reconvened, the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill was taken up and passed by voice vote without any debate. In the Rajya Sabha , two adjournments were ordered after members ignored the Chairman’s calls for decorum. Both houses saw repeated violations of the rule that prohibits entering the Well of the House and displaying placards during sessions. Important Facts The opposition’s protest centred on two issues: the alleged misuse of donations meant for the Ram Temple donation scam , and the demand for a statement from the Home Minister on a police crackdown on protesters last month. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress, Communist parties and the Samajwadi Party of opposing the temple’s construction. He also criticised opposition members for staging skits inside the Parliament complex. During the Question Hour , the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, C.P. Radhakrishnan, reminded members that entering the Well of the House and using placards are prohibited. Despite this, the session could not be completed. UPSC Relevance Understanding parliamentary procedure is essential for GS‑2 (Polity). The incidents illustrate how procedural rules—such as the prohibition of entering the Well of the House and the conduct of Question Hour —are enforced (or ignored) during heated debates. The passage of the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill without discussion also highlights the use of voice votes, a procedural tool that can expedite legislation but may limit scrutiny. The opposition’s focus on the Ram Temple donation scam reflects the interplay of religion, politics, and public finance—topics that cut across GS‑1 (History), GS‑2 (Polity) and GS‑3 (Economy). Way Forward For smoother functioning, the Speaker and Chairman may need to enforce existing rules more strictly, possibly invoking the Rule 374 of the Lok Sabha that deals with disorderly conduct. Opposition parties should channel their grievances through formal parliamentary mechanisms—such as adjournment motions or special debates—rather than disruptive protests. Finally, the government could consider allowing limited, time‑bound debate on bills passed by voice vote to enhance transparency and uphold democratic accountability.