New Delhi, July 31, 2025 – The Indian Parliament on Thursday was largely consumed by Opposition protests, leading to repeated adjournments in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and significantly curtailing legislative business. The day's proceedings were marked by heated exchanges, a crucial statement on US tariffs, and a moment of national pride for India's space achievements.
US Tariffs and Trade Tensions Take Centre Stage
A major point of discussion was the recent announcement by US President Donald Trump regarding 25% tariffs on Indian imports and a potential "penalty" over India's ties with Russia. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal addressed both Houses with a suo moto statement on the matter.
Goyal assured members that the government is "examining the implications" of these developments and is actively "engaged with all stakeholders" to assess the situation. He reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to protect the interests of Indian farmers, workers, industries, and exporters, promising "all necessary steps" to safeguard national interests.
However, the Opposition continued its protests even during the Minister's address, demanding a full discussion on the issue. While some Opposition members, like Azad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar Azad, expressed strong criticism, accusing the US of a "stab in the back," Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora urged the Opposition to "put country before politics," criticizing what he perceived as a celebratory attitude towards temporary setbacks.
Bihar Electoral Rolls Fuel Opposition Uproar
The primary cause for the day's persistent disruptions was the Opposition's demand for an urgent discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. For the eighth consecutive day, members of the INDIA bloc, including prominent leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Akhilesh Yadav, staged protests both inside and outside the Parliament complex. Their demand for a rollback or a dedicated discussion on the voter roll revision was consistently rejected by the presiding officers in both Houses.
The relentless uproar led to multiple adjournments throughout the day, significantly hampering parliamentary functioning. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh voiced his concern over the substantial time lost during the ongoing Monsoon Session, noting that out of the planned opportunities for 120 questions, Zero Hour submissions, and special mentions, only a fraction could be taken up. He lamented that "a total of 30 hours and 6 minutes were lost," emphasizing this was "member's time and not the government's business time."
A Moment of National Pride: NISAR Satellite Launch
Amidst the political din, both Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh commenced the day's proceedings with a moment of bipartisan pride. They extended congratulations to the joint NASA-ISRO team for the successful launch of the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite aboard GSLV-F16 from Sriharikota. This achievement was lauded as a testament to India's growing stature as a "trusted and capable space ferrying nation" and the "remarkable strides of our scientific community."
Underlying Tensions and Other Debates
While not formally debated at length today, the echoes of previous discussions, particularly on "Operation Sindoor" and "Operation Mahadev" related to India's counter-terrorism efforts and the Pahalgam terror attack, continued to resonate. Remarks from yesterday's debate, where Home Minister Amit Shah declared "Hindus can never be terrorists," were referenced.
The economic climate also saw sharp political jibes, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that "everybody, except PM [Narendra Modi] and FM [Nirmala Sitharaman], know India is a 'dead economy'." Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, in his counter, highlighted India's trajectory from the 'Fragile Five' to the fastest-growing economy.
In a written reply, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified India's abstention from a recent UN General Assembly resolution on a Gaza ceasefire, citing "lack of negotiations and overall imbalance of the resolution text" while reiterating support for a two-state solution. Concerns were also raised by some Opposition MPs regarding the alleged unjust arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh.
As the Monsoon Session progresses, the continued protests over issues like the Bihar electoral rolls and the government's handling of the US tariff situation signal a challenging period ahead for legislative productivity in Parliament.
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