Lok Sabha adjourned amid Adani, Sambhal protests.
The Lok Sabha witnessed chaotic scenes as members of the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) stormed into the Well of the House, while other Opposition members stood in the aisles, raising slogans and demanding answers on key issues. The uproar primarily revolved around the Adani Group and the Sambhal incident, with opposition parties accusing the government of inaction and lack of transparency.
Congress members vocally demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into alleged irregularities involving the Adani Group, citing concerns over corporate governance and its links to government policies. Meanwhile, SP members raised the issue of law and order in Uttar Pradesh, particularly focusing on the recent incident in Sambhal, where violence and administrative lapses have sparked public outrage.
However, the Opposition remained adamant, chanting slogans and waving placards, disrupting the day’s legislative business.
Unable to restore order, the Speaker eventually adjourned the House, highlighting the growing tension between the government and opposition over key national and regional issues. The session is expected to resume amidst continued demands for accountability and debate.
Lok Sabha Adjourned Amid Opposition Protests Over Adani Group, Sambhal Violence, and Other Issues
The Lok Sabha proceedings on Thursday were disrupted and subsequently adjourned till 12 noon following loud protests by Opposition members, who sought immediate discussions on several contentious issues.
Adani Group Controversy and Sambhal Violence Spark Opposition Protests in Parliament
The Opposition in Parliament has intensified its demands for discussions on two key issues: the allegations surrounding the Adani Group and the recent outbreak of violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district.
Adani Group Controversy
The Adani Group has been under scrutiny after reports emerged of alleged financial misconduct and governance lapses. The controversy escalated when a New York court indictment allegedly linked Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani to a bribery case. While the Adani Group issued a statement denying any violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the Opposition remains unconvinced, calling for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe to ensure transparency and accountability.
Violence in Sambhal
In Sambhal, a violent clash earlier this week led to casualties and raised concerns about law and order in Uttar Pradesh. The incident has prompted the Samajwadi Party and other opposition members to demand immediate government action and accountability, accusing the state administration of negligence and failure to maintain peace in the region.
These two issues have dominated parliamentary proceedings, causing multiple adjournments and highlighting the growing tension between the government and the Opposition.
The session began with the oath-taking ceremony of two newly elected members of Parliament. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, elected from Kerala’s Wayanad constituency in a recent bypoll, and Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan, who won from Maharashtra’s Nanded, were formally sworn in as Lok Sabha MPs. Their oath-taking was briefly the focus before the Opposition erupted into protests, overshadowing the planned agenda for the day.
Almost immediately after the new members took their oaths, leaders from the Congress and other opposition parties stood up to demand discussions on urgent matters, most notably the allegations against the Adani Group. Waving placards and shouting slogans, they accused the government of shielding industrialist Gautam Adani and sought a detailed debate on the matter. The Opposition has been persistent in its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into alleged financial irregularities and governance issues surrounding the Adani Group.
The controversy surrounding the Adani Group gained fresh momentum after an indictment was filed in a New York court, allegedly implicating Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, in a bribery case. However, on Wednesday, the Adani Group issued a statement denying any wrongdoing. The company clarified that neither Gautam Adani nor Sagar Adani had been charged with violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which governs international bribery and corruption cases. Despite the clarification, the Opposition continues to press for further transparency and investigation into the conglomerate’s activities.
In addition to the Adani controversy, the Opposition raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, particularly focusing on the recent violent incident in Sambhal. The district witnessed a violent clash earlier this week, resulting in casualties and raising questions about the state government’s handling of law and order. Members of the Samajwadi Party (SP) led the charge on this issue, demanding accountability from the ruling BJP government in the state.
However, the Opposition remained defiant, refusing to back down from their demands for immediate discussion on the pressing issues.
As the protests intensified, with Opposition members crowding the Well of the House and chanting slogans, the Speaker had no choice but to adjourn the proceedings till noon. The disruption highlights the deepening rift between the government and the Opposition, with both sides refusing to compromise on their stances.
The government, led by the BJP, has so far resisted calls for a JPC probe into the Adani Group, arguing that existing regulatory bodies, such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), are capable of handling the investigation. The ruling party has also dismissed the Opposition’s accusations as politically motivated attempts to tarnish the government’s image ahead of the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the Opposition remains steadfast in its demands, accusing the government of crony capitalism and favoritism towards select industrialists. The Adani issue, coupled with concerns over law and order in key states like Uttar Pradesh, is expected to remain a focal point in parliamentary debates in the coming weeks.
As the Lok Sabha reconvenes later in the day, it remains uncertain whether the government and Opposition will find common ground to allow for constructive debate or if further disruptions will continue to stall legislative progress. With crucial bills pending and important discussions on the economy and governance awaiting attention, the ongoing standoff poses a significant challenge to the smooth functioning of Parliament.