Parliament Session Highlights: RaGa points out Speaker bowed while shaking hands with PM Modi, Om Birla says he bows before elders

On BJP demanding Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to apologise to Hindus for his statement in the Parliament, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “What should he apologise for? For raising the people's issue in the Parliament, or for expressing the youth's anger on the Agniveer scheme, or for unemployment, or for raising the Manipur issue, or for exposing the BJP?... Rahul Gandhi has said that Narendra Modi, BJP, and RSS are not the only Hindus or the protector of Hindus...”

Commenting on Rahul Gandhi's contentious statement at the Lok Sabha today, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha says, “This is not the first time. They always try to insult Sanatana Dharma. People of the INDI alliance does politics of appeasement. Today they have hurt the soul of Bharat Mata by calling Hindus violent. This person does not understand the values ​​and culture of Bharat Mata...”

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin-Dargah Ajmer Sharif says, "We have heard the statement made by the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in which he talked about linking the symbol of 'Abhayamudra' to Islamic prayer or Islamic worship, which is not mentioned in any holy scripture or even in the teachings of saints. Linking any other symbolic posture to the philosophy and the faith of Islam is not the right thing to do. I think Rahul Gandhi should have an understanding of which symbols are part of which faith..."

Home Minister Amit Shah on July 1 urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to seek verification of several claims made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during his speech.

Intervening in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in Lok Sabha after Gandhi's "not Hindu" jibe at the BJP, Shah demanded he apologise to not only the House but to the country.

"He has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindus engage in violence. Crores of people in the country proudly call themselves Hindus. Are they all speaking about violence? Linking violence to any religion, that too by somebody holding a constitutional position... I believe he should apologise," the home minister said.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Speaker Om Birla had a verbal exchange in the Lok Sabha on Monday when the Congress leader questioned why he bowed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he and the PM shook hands with him on his election as the presiding officer.

As the treasury benches objected to Gandhi's remarks, Speaker Birla responded saying he maintains the tradition of bowing to elders.

Gandhi, however, said the Speaker is the tallest leader of the House.

“...They will lay the foundations of a Police State in the country. And that is what I alluded to in my speech on the President's address. In addition to flagging the fact that for the past four years, China has transgressed into Indian territory and there has been no response from the government in terms of either getting Indian territory vacated or even having a debate on the floor of the House to explain to the country as to what the factual situation is. So, in a sense, the concerns of the opposition were laid on the floor of the House today... For the last five years, there's been no reply to any substantive issue raised by the opposition. We do hope there's a response this time.”

Commenting on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "Tomorrow the Prime Minister will reply in the Lok Sabha...Today when the Leader of Opposition came and started speaking, the Prime Minister was present. What we saw during his speech today, we were very saddened by it. He was repeatedly told from the Speaker's chair that he should not turn his back towards the Speaker while speaking. He was repeatedly addressing his MPs and repeatedly turn his back towards the Speaker... The level of debate has fallen so much. We have never seen this before. Today there is nothing left for the new MPs to learn from Rahul Gandhi...I am very sad that Rahul Gandhi has degraded our parliamentary system so much, but there are some senior leaders in the Congress, I still appeal, they should give him some knowledge..."

Speaking to reporters outside the Palriament building, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, "No one is ready to have talks with the farmers who are still sitting on the borders...The rates of tractors, fertilisers have increased...Farmers won't survive if a legal guarantee of MSP is not given."

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "This should not be called an attack. There is a debate going on in the parliament as well. The debate will get heated sometimes, this is an ideological debate and what he (Rahul Gandhi) said should be understood by everyone..."

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 11 am tomorrow, i.e., Tuesday, July 2. However, Lok Sabha proceedings will continue till 10 pm today.

"We condemn the way Rahul Gandhi for insulting the Hindus.Calling the entire Hindu community violent is an insult. He should apologise in the Lok Sabha for his remarks," says Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha speech.

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says, "...Rahul Gandhi's statement on Hindus is beyond the truth...He should apologise to the people of the country... I condemn this statement and also ask the Congress party to ask him to apologise..."

"He (Rahul Gandhi) made some objectionable remarks in the Parliament today. He said that martyrs won't receive compensation under the Agniveer Scheme. This is a big lie. During Rahul Gandhi's speech, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh busted this and said that martyrs under the Agniveer Scheme will be give a compensation of Rs 1 crore. Congress has always made such remarks against the armed forces and tried to mislead the public," says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha speech.

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, Congress MP Kumari Selja says, "He (Rahul Gandhi) did not say that Hindus do violence...He pointed towards BJP leaders and said that on one side they call themselves Hindu and other side they do violence..."

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda tweets, "First day, worst show! Lies + Hindu hatred = Rahul Gandhi Ji in Parliament. Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility."

- As the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition, Gandhi launched a scathing critique targeting the BJP, RSS, and Prime Minister Modi in the Lok Sabha on July 1.

- Rahul Gandhi, initiating the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address from the Opposition, sparked controversy with his remark that "those who call themselves Hindus only speak about violence". Read more.

“The President's speech is written from the standpoint of the government every time. Those who wrote the speech have not analysed the (Lok Sabha 2024) results properly because the 240-seat minority government claimed to be elected as a central and stable government. The speech was filled with similar lies,” says TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, BJP MP & actor Kangana Ranaut says, "I have said, Rahul Gandhi did a good standup comedian act because he made all our gods and goddesses, brand ambassador of Congress. He said that the hand raised by Lord Shiva in blessing is the hands of Congress, these are his statements, this was his speech, so we were already laughing...I think he should apologize for his statements..."

Here’s what Congress leader KC Venugopal said on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Hindu’ remark in Parliament. “Today, Rahul Gandhi highlighted Lord Shiva in his speech. He narrated about who is a real Hindu. They (BJP) will use Hindus only for polarising and winning elections. Rahul Gandhi said this very clearly but they (BJP) distorted it.”

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, "No devotee of Lord Shiva will tolerate it. You cannot play with the religious sentiments...Being the LoP he should put forward his views based on facts. He always tried to create confusion on every issue..."

BJP leader CR Kesavan says, "Rahul Gandhi today has demeaned the dignity of a sacred parliament and sullied the dignity of our Lok Sabha. Rahul Gandhi in his first speech as LoP wasted no time in peddling perilous politics of hate and he opened his 'Nafrat ki Dukan' right there in the Lok Sabha today. He has insulted the faith and the sentiments of millions of Hindus today by frontally attacking them. Is this a way any responsible LoP conducts himself? When he spoke today by saying that all the people who call themselves Hindus are violent and untrue, it reveals the bigoted and parochial mindset of Rahul Gandhi. These are just not reprehensible and shameful, but is also dangerous..."

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's statement, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal says, "Rahul Gandhi's statement was baseless...They have lost their confidence. This is an expression of their nervousness..."

"My brother will never insult the Hindus and he clearly spoke about the BJP and its leaders," says Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Rahul Gandhi's 'Hindu' remark in Parliament.

On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, AAP MP Raghav Chadha says, "I was in Rajya Sabha, I have not heard his statement in Lok Sabha but it is being discussed a lot and people are praising him a lot..."

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla says, "It is very clear that Rahul Gandhi did not say anything about Hindus. He said that the people of BJP, you call yourself Hindus but you do not follow Hinduism, we are all Hindus, we follow Hinduism. What Lord Shiv said, we follow it and you do not follow it, you do violence, you spread hatred, this is what he is saying to the people of BJP..."

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy says, "Rahul Gandhi and Congress are in depression. He has lied completely. We should sympathize with Rahul Gandhi because for the last 20 years, he wanted to become the Prime Minister, but the public did not give him a chance to become the Prime Minister. That is why the speech he gave in Parliament today was against Hindus. He said that Hindus are violent. The people of the country should understand this. As long as there are Hindus in the country, there will be no violence in the country..."

TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, "The last time I stood here I was not allowed to speak. But the ruling party has paid a very heavy price for throttling the voice of one MP. In an attempt to suppress me, the public made 63 of your members sit permanently..."

“When I came to shake your hand, I noticed something. When I stood up to shake hands, you stood up straight, but when you shook hands with PM Modi, you bowed,” Rahul Gandhi said, addressing Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

The Speaker responded to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks by saying that the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) must understand that the “Prime Minister is the leader of the House and as per my position and my culture and tradition, I respect somebody who is senior to me (by age). I have been told to respect anybody, who is older than me and that’s what I did.”

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "NEET students spend years and years preparing for their exam. Their family supports them financially, and emotionally and the truth is that NEET students today do not believe in the exam because they are convinced that the exam is designed for rich people, not meritorious people. I have met several NEET students. Every single one of them tells me that the exam is designed to create a quota for rich people and to create a passage for them into the system and is designed not to help poor students...."

“Students prepare year after year for these exams. The students do not believe in this kind of exam. This exam was designed for the rich people and not for meritorious people. I have met a lot of students who told me that this was an exam which created a passage for the rich,” Rahul Gandhi said.

NEET is not a professional exam, it's a commercial exam; it is designed to suit rich students: Rahul Gandhi

Farmers want MSP with legal guarantee which govt is not willing to give: Rahul Gandhi

Due to demonetisation, flawed GST, backbone of job creation has been broken by govt: Rahul Gandhi

Objecting to LoP Rahul Gandhi's statement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "He (Rahul Gandhi) should not try to mislead the House by making wrong statements. Financial assistance of Rs one crore is given to the family of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life while protecting our borders or during war."

Speaking on the Agniveer scheme for entry into Armed Forces, LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi says, "One Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but he is not called a 'martyr'... 'Agniveer' is a use & throw labourer..."

Rahul Gandhi slams govt over Agnipath issue, says Agniveer is 'use-and-throw labour' for govt

When our govt comes, we will scrap Agnipath scheme because we think it is against armed forces, patriots: Rahul Gandhi

LS Speaker Om Birla urges Rahul Gandhi to maintain dignity of the Motion of Thanks to the president's address.

LS Speaker chides Rahul Gandhi for casting aspersion on intentions of Chair; says his mic has never been muted

PM Modi in Lok Sabha, says, "Democracy and the Constitution have taught me that I need to take the Leader of Opposition seriously."

If you look at Lord Shiva's image you would know that Hindus can never spread fear, hatred but BJP spreads fear, hatred 24X7: Rahul Gandhi

Amit Shah invokes Emergency, 1984 anti-Sikh riots to assert that Rahul Gandhi has no right to talk about non-violence

After PM Modi objects to his remarks, LoP Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, " Modi, BJP, RSS not the entire Hindu community."

After LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attacks him, PM Modi responds by saying, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter."

Responding to LoP Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha says, "The Leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesn’t know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise."

After LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attacks him, PM Modi responds by saying, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is very serious."

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "…The PM says that (Mahatma) Gandhi is dead and Gandhi was revived by a movie. Can you understand the ignorance?… Another thing I noticed is that it is not just one religion that talks about courage. All religions talk about courage."

Speaker Om Birla says rules don't allow display of placards after Rahul Gandhi shows picture of Lord Shiva.

I am happy and proud to be in opposition; for us there is something more than power, it is truth: Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "There has been a systematic and a full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power & wealth, aggression on poor & Dalits and minorities was crushed. ..I was attacked by the order of Govt of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED..."

PM Modi is present in Lok Sabha.

Country has together protected Constitution, it feels nice that BJP people now repeating 'Jai samvidhan' after me: LoP Rahul Gandhi in LS

Opposition leaders under constant attack, govt used all its mechanism to dismantle democratic spaces, says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP on Monday over various issues including the ongoing row over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and arrests of Opposition leaders.

During his speech in Rajya Sabha on the debate on President Droupadi Murmu's address, Kharge said, "PM Modi embarrassed India. They used to call the Camandiya alliance, they used to say if there is Modi, anything is possible. But the arrogance of BJP was broken after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections."

Rajya Sabha of Parliament observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of AI 182 ‘Kanishka’. "This horrific terrorist attack, which took place on June 23, 1985, had claimed 329 lives. Justice was never fully served to the victims and their families. Let’s vow zero tolerance towards terrorism and violent extremism," says MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

First case under new laws was about motorcycle theft registered in Gwalior at 10 minutes past midnight: Home Minister Amit Shah

Over 12,000 master trainers deployed to train more than 22.5 lakh police personnel in new criminal justice system: Home Minister

Earlier only rights of police were protected, now rights of victims and complainants will be protected: Shah on new criminal laws

On the new criminal laws, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "With a new point of view, these three laws have come into effect from midnight. Now, instead of Indian Penal Code (IPC), there will be Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Instead of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), there will be Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Instead of Indian Evidence Act, there will be Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)..."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks on the three new criminal laws.

He says, "...First of all, I would like to congratulate the people of the country that about 77 years after independence, our criminal justice system is becoming completely 'Swadeshi'. This will function on Indian ethos. After 75 years, these laws were contemplated upon and when these laws are in effect from today, colonial laws have been scrapped and laws made in the Indian Parliament are being brought into practice. Instead of 'Dand', it is now 'Nyay'. Instead of delay, there will be speedy trial and speedy justice. Earlier, only the rights of the Police were protected but now, vicitms' and complainants' rights will be protected too."

Here's what Purnia MP Pappu Yadav said on Opposition walkout from the Parliament.

"They are not listening to the Opposition. Rahul Gandhi respected the words of Rajnath Singh. They are postponing everything. We did not have any other option but to walkout from the Parliament. The most important issue is NEET. People have earned big money."

Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, "Discussion is always done after the Motion of thanks on President's address...The government has nothing to hide on the NEET issue...Central agencies are carrying out investigations on the issue of paper leaks...The government will take a decision in the interests of children" On new criminal laws, he says, "The laws are passed after holding proper discussions...New provisions have been added...The opposition should not oppose everything that is passed by the government..."

Bansuri Swaraj emphasised the accomplishments of the Centre, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration are unique in having kept every commitment they have made to Indian citizens. The first-time MP said this in the Lok Sabha during a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's speech.

“The opposition’s behaviour is against the Parliamentary decorum. It was said that no other issue will be discussed during the President's address. Still, they didn't listen and staged walkout,” says Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh on the Opposition walkout from the Parliament.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address media at 1 pm today at Parliament Library.

Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla appointed a group of chairpersons on Monday to assist him in presiding over House proceedings. A Raja, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Avdhesh Prasad, PC Mohan, Sandhya Rai, Dilip Saikia, Jagdambika Pal, and A Raja were all named by Birla.

When the Speaker is not in the chair, the group of chairpersons oversees the House's operations. They benefit from all the Speaker's powers.

In the aftermath of the recent legislative elections, the 18th Lok Sabha was recently created.

Opposition parties talk about common man while PM Modi does only his 'Mann Ki Baat': Kharge in Rajya Sabha

Rahul Gandhi was congratulated by the BJP MP Anurag Thakur on being named Leader of the Opposition. "This is significant because Mr. Gandhi has been abusing his position of authority for years. With this newfound power comes responsibility. The opposition's final test, not PM Modi's, is the third term. It won't work to be an absentee landlord, Thakur said.

In protest, the Opposition bursts out.

PM Modi expert only in giving slogans; Manipur burning from last one year but PM did not visit state: Kharge in RS

Here's what Congress leader Manickam Tagore said on the Opposition walkout from the Parliament.

"Today the Opposition raised the NEET issue in the Parliament. Rajnath Singh assured that after the President's address, the issue will be discussed. But there was no assurance, that is why INDIA alliance leaders walked out of the Parliament as a mark of protest. We will participate in the debate on the motion to thank honourable President."

Speaking on the Motion of thanks on President's address, LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge says, "The President is the most important part of the Parliament, we respect the President. This year the President’s first address was in January and second in June. The first address was for elections and the second was a copy of it. There was nothing for Dalits, minority sections and the backward classes in her address. There was neither vision nor direction in the President's address. Like the last time, it was just about full of words of appreciation for the govt."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha says, "Parliament proceedings are carried out based on some rules and traditions. I request the Opposition that any discussion should be done only after the Motion of thanks on President's address."

There was no vision, direction in President's address to Parliament: Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha

There was no mention of poor, Dalits, minorities in President's address: Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha

Opposition members walk out of Lok Sabha over NEET issue as BJP member Anurag Thakur initiates debate on President's address.

Amid Opposition protest in Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla says, "Outside the House, some MPs level allegations that the Speaker switches off the mic. The control of the mic is not in the hands of the one who sits on the Chair."

Union Minister Anurag Thakur highlights Modi government's achievements, highlights PM Modi's complete emphasis on Citizen's welfare.

Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi raises the NEET irregularities issue, in the House.

He says, "A message is disseminated to the country, from Parliament. We want to give a message to students that NEET issue is important for the Parliament. So, to send this message we want the Parliament to discuss this."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeks a day's discussion on the NEET issue.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the House congratulates Cricket Skipper Rohit Sharma and the entire Team India on winning T20 World Cup 2024.

As Opposition MPs protest and allege misuse of central agencies, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "Agencies are being misused. When the Trial Court had granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal, it had said that there was no base (for arrest). Now, when Hemant Soren has been granted bail, (Jharkhand) High Court has said that there is no base. These show that this is not a free and fair investigation but a political witch-hunt."

Today at 12:15 PM, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition, is expected to address the Lok Sabha. It is anticipated that Gandhi would bring up matters pertaining to the Agnipath scheme and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leaks.

Congress MP KL Sharma says, "We are demanding a discussion on the NEET issue today also....Had they brought these (new criminal laws) by taking the House into confidence then..."

Opposition MPs, including Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, protest at the Parliament complex alleging the misuse of central agencies.

"There are many issues in this government. The accused in NEET row have been associated with the Centre. We are trying to raise the issue," says Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Opposition's protest in the Parliament premises.

- The Congress on Sunday said Parliament should pass a law to enable reservations to exceed the 50-per cent cap, a day after NDA constituent JD(U) demanded that the quota increase in Bihar be included in the 9th schedule of the Constitution.

- At a meeting of the Janata Dal-United's national executive here on Saturday, the party expressed concern over a recent Patna High Court verdict striking down the Bihar government's decision to increase the quota for the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) to 65 per cent from 50 per cent.

- In a political resolution passed at the meet, the JD(U) urged the BJP-led Centre to put the state's law under the Constitution's 9th Schedule to rule out its judicial review.

- The Aam Aadmi Party has accused central investigative agencies of "misleading" the Supreme Court, and said opposition INDIA bloc will protest against it on the Parliament premises on Monday.

- Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said that despite a trial court granting bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought the High Court's intervention and secured a stay on the bail.

- And later when Kejriwal seemed set to receive bail from the Supreme Court, the central government got him arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), he claimed.

- Congress leader Manish Tewari has demanded that Parliament re-examine the new criminal laws, claiming they lay the foundation of turning the country into a police state.

- "The new criminal Laws that came into effect from 12 midnight July 1st 2024 - (Today) lay the foundations of turning India into a Police State," the Chandigarh MP said on X.

- Their implementation must be stopped forthwith and Parliament must re-examine them, the former Union Minister said. (PTI)

Congress MP KC Venugopal has submitted an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha today to discuss the cases of paper leaks in the conduct of exams, including NEET-UG and UGC NET, and the failure of NTA.

Congress MP B Manickam Tagore gives suspension of business notice in Lok Sabha to discuss NEET issue.