The first phase of India’s Budget Session in the Parliament of India wrapped up on February 13 after weeks of disruption, shouting matches, and repeated adjournments that exposed how broken legislative functioning has become. The session, which began with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting, quickly spiraled into chaos over the India–US interim trade agreement and political flashpoints linked to military memoir disclosures. Instead of focused budget scrutiny, much of the House time was burned in slogan-shouting, walkouts, and confrontations, forcing proceedings in the Lok Sabha to halt again and again. Lawmakers will now break until March 9, when the second half of the session resumes — though few expect the atmosphere to suddenly become civil.
Tensions peaked when opposition members demanded the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and blocked debates over alleged links mentioned in foreign documents, while the Chair repeatedly struggled to restore order. Speaker Om Birla even stepped aside temporarily after a resolution was moved seeking his removal — a rare and serious escalation in parliamentary conflict. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the government of undermining national interests through the interim trade deal with Washington, claims that were forcefully rejected by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who countered with attacks on past Congress-era trade policies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi notably avoided speaking in the Lok Sabha amid fears of further uproar, choosing instead to respond in the Rajya Sabha — a move that itself reflected how dysfunctional the lower house had become.
Beyond the noise, very little productive lawmaking happened. Only one key bill — amending the Industrial Relations Code — was passed, while crucial budget discussions were repeatedly derailed. MPs were suspended, papers were thrown, officials’ desks were climbed on, and nearly 20 hours of parliamentary time were openly admitted to have been wasted. In the Rajya Sabha, members raised real issues ranging from undertrial voting rights to water crises and healthcare shortages — but those discussions were largely drowned out by the larger political storm. The brutal truth is simple: Parliament once again behaved more like a protest ground than a lawmaking institution. When it reconvenes in March, the real question isn’t what laws will be debated — it’s whether lawmakers can even sit through a full session without bringing democracy to a standstill.
