Parliament Logjam: Opposition Protests Police Action, Birth-Death Bill Passed Amid Uproar

Both Houses of Parliament witnessed unprecedented disruptions on Friday as Opposition MPs protested against the police crackdown during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march. The protestors demanded a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while the government managed to pass the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha amid the din.

In the Lok Sabha, when the House reconvened at 11 am, Opposition MPs raised slogans and trooped into the Well, demanding that Mr. Shah come to the House and explain the police action against protesters. Speaker Om Birla urged them to return to their seats and allow Question Hour to proceed, but the ruckus continued, leading to an hour-long adjournment.

When the House reassembled at noon, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai moved the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The legislation seeks to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, to encourage timely reporting of vital events. However, with Opposition MPs continuing to protest, the Bill was passed by a voice vote without any discussion.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed disappointment over the disruption, saying, "It is unfortunate that no Opposition MP took part in the discussion... People who sent you to Parliament will seek answers from you... then you go out and say that Bills are being passed without discussion. You have been sent to the House for discussion, not for hungama (ruckus)." After the Bill's passage, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day.

The Bill introduces stricter provisions for delayed registration of births and deaths. For registrations made more than two years after the event, an order from a judicial magistrate (first class) would now be required, replacing the previous administrative process.

In the Rajya Sabha, similar scenes unfolded as Opposition MPs demanded that Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge be allowed to speak. Chairman and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan responded sharply, accusing the Opposition of being in an "Emergency mood." He clarified that he had previously allowed Mr. Kharge to speak despite deeming his point of order invalid, adding, "Every time I am yielding to LoP but you are not listening to others. Is that correct? That will not strengthen democracy... You are in Emergency mood till today, you want everybody to listen, but you don't want to listen to anyone."

Later, the Chairman permitted Mr. Kharge to speak but ruled that no notices under Rule 267 would be admitted. The LoP had sought to raise issues under this provision relating to alleged fund misappropriation and irregularities in land acquisition for the Ram temple. Opposition MPs also raised slogans over alleged paper leaks and reiterated their demand for the Home Minister's presence. The Chairman, however, questioned the relevance, stating, "What does the Home Minister have to do with the Zero Hour?"

The Opposition has been pressing for a statement from Mr. Shah on the police action on July 20, including the use of pellet guns against protesters. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Mr. Kharge questioned the use of force against students and demanded the Home Minister's resignation.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the Opposition of indulging in "sadak-chhap (crass)" politics, saying, "They just want to create drama and they don't really want to have a discussion."