The second part of India’s Budget Session for 2025 commenced with a tumultuous opening on March 10, 2025, as both Houses of Parliament witnessed disruptions, protests, and an Opposition walkout within hours of convening. The proceedings, set against the backdrop of a politically charged atmosphere, underscored deep divisions between the ruling coalition and the Opposition over a range of contentious issues, signaling a contentious week ahead.
Lok Sabha Adjourned Amid DMK Protests
The Lok Sabha’s session began at 11:00 AM but was quickly overshadowed by vociferous protests from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the Centre’s three-language policy. DMK members, arguing that the policy undermines regional languages and imposes Hindi-centric education, stormed the well of the House, raising slogans and displaying placards. Their agitation reflects long-standing concerns in Tamil Nadu over linguistic identity and federal autonomy.
Speaker Om Birla attempted to restore order, urging members to return to their seats and allow Question Hour to proceed. However, with the din persisting, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2:00 PM. The brief session highlighted the Opposition’s intent to leverage the Budget Session to press the government on issues of regional significance.
Rajya Sabha Sees Opposition Walkout
In the Upper House, proceedings took a dramatic turn when Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and other INDIA Alliance members staged a walkout following remarks by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The trigger was a heated exchange over the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, tabled recently. Opposition MPs, including those from the Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), labeled the report “biased” and “one-sided,” alleging that their dissent notes had been excluded or obscured.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh and JMM’s Mahua Maji, speaking to the media outside Parliament, warned that the Waqf Bill could be a precursor to broader governmental overreach into religious properties. “Today it’s Waqf land; tomorrow it could be temples or gurdwaras,” Maji remarked, amplifying the Opposition’s narrative of distrust toward the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The walkout disrupted a scheduled discussion on the Union Budget, leaving the Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day.
Key Issues on the Horizon
The day’s disruptions set the stage for a stormy session, with several flashpoints likely to dominate proceedings in the coming days. The Opposition has signaled its intent to corner the government on multiple fronts, including alleged electoral roll manipulation, the violence in Manipur, recent killings in Jammu and Kashmir, and the contentious issue of delimitation ahead of the 2026 census.
Additionally, India’s foreign policy stance toward the incoming Trump administration in the United States has emerged as a point of debate, with MPs demanding clarity on trade and tariff implications.
Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move a key resolution in the Lok Sabha this week, possibly related to delimitation or internal security, though details remain under wraps. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who introduced the Income Tax Bill, 2025, during the first part of the Budget Session in February, may face renewed scrutiny as the Opposition presses for its referral to a Select Committee.
A Session Under Strain
Today’s events reflect a broader decline in parliamentary decorum, a trend noted by observers in recent years. The Lok Sabha’s productivity in the previous Winter Session stood at just 54.5%, while the Rajya Sabha managed only 40%, figures that underscore the growing acrimony between the government and the Opposition. With the 18th Lok Sabha entering its second year, the lack of constructive dialogue risks stalling legislative progress on critical issues like economic recovery and social welfare.
As the Budget Session progresses from March 10 to April 4, all eyes will be on whether the government and Opposition can find common ground or if disruptions will continue to overshadow substantive debate. For now, March 10, 2025, has reaffirmed Parliament’s role as a battleground for India’s competing political visions, with little respite in sight.
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