Lok Sabha Adjourned: PM Modi Speech Delayed Amid Ruckus Over Books

The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned until Wednesday following intense disruptions during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. The deadlock emerged as the treasury and opposition benches clashed over former Army Chief General MM Naravane's memoir and allegations regarding Chinese incursions, while consequently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address, which was scheduled for 5:00 PM on Tuesday, couldn't take place. The session witnessed high-voltage drama as both sides remained firm on their respective positions, leading to multiple interruptions throughout the day.

Controversy Over General MM Naravane's Memoir

The primary trigger for the day's disruption was the mention of former Army Chief General MM Naravane's book, 'Four Stars of Destiny'. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised the issue, using excerpts from the book to question the government's handling of the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Gandhi alleged that the memoir provides insights into the challenges faced by the military during Chinese incursions, which the government has allegedly downplayed. Carrying the book into the house, Gandhi stated that he intended to present the volume to the Prime Minister if he attended the session, further intensifying the political atmosphere.

BJP's Counter-Attack Led by Nishikant Dubey

In response to the opposition's offensive, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey launched a counter-attack by citing various books written about the Gandhi family. Dubey pointed out that several publications contain controversial remarks about the previous leadership, arguing that the opposition can't selectively use literature to target the government. The exchange of words escalated quickly, with opposition members protesting against the Speaker's decision to allow Dubey to speak while allegedly restricting their leaders. This led to a standoff where opposition MPs marched to Speaker Om Birla's chamber to register their formal protest.

High-Level Meetings and Administrative Deadlock

As the situation in the house deteriorated, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a series of strategic meetings, while before the Prime Minister's scheduled speech, Shah met with PM Modi to discuss the parliamentary situation. Subsequently, the Home Minister held a meeting with Speaker Om Birla, which was also attended by Nishikant Dubey. Despite these efforts to restore order, the persistent sloganeering and protests from the opposition benches made it impossible to continue the proceedings. The Speaker eventually decided to adjourn the house for the day to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Analysis of Parliamentary Stalemate

According to political analysts, the current stalemate reflects the deep-seated divisions between the government and the opposition on matters of national security and historical narrative. The delay of the Prime Minister's speech, which is a significant part of the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, highlights the severity of the disruption. Experts suggest that such frequent adjournments hinder the legislative process and delay the discussion on crucial budgetary allocations, while the focus now shifts to the next session, where the government will attempt to resume the scheduled business amidst continued opposition scrutiny.

The Lok Sabha is set to reconvene tomorrow morning, while it remains to be seen whether the treasury and opposition benches can reach a consensus to allow the Prime Minister to deliver his address. The ongoing friction over the memoir and border security issues continues to dominate the discourse, casting a shadow over the legislative agenda of the Budget Session.