Opposition toughens stand, washout of session likely
The Indian Parliament's monsoon session faces a potential washout as the opposition demands discussions on the Ram temple donation issue and police actions against students. Government ministers have criticized the opposition for boycotting legislative proceedings, while the opposition maintains that their demands are essential for democratic accountability.
Why it matters
Legislative gridlock in India's Parliament prevents the passage of critical bills and undermines the functioning of the democratic process.
NEW DELHI: Raising the possibility of Parliament's monsoon session being a washout, opposition Monday told govt that a discussion on the Ram temple donation issue and Union minister Amit Shah's statement on police's alleged crackdown on students are a must for the legislature to function normally. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the absence of PM Narendra Modi and Shah from both Houses an "insult to democracy".Amid opposition's protest, a bill in Lok Sabha to replace an ordinance that increased the number of SC judges from 34 to 38 was passed without discussion, with parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju slamming opposition for not participating in the debate in both Houses and alleging outside that they were not allowed to speak.Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, amid the din, introduced the bankers' books evidence bill to replace a British-era law with the objective of including all forms of records maintained by banks, including digital…
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