20-07-2023 : On the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed adjournments following obituary references. The session began with somber moments as the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha paid tribute to members who had passed away during the inter-session period.
In the Lok Sabha, AAP leader Sushil Kumar Rinku took oath as a new member of the House. Rinku, who was elected from Jalandhar in Punjab, solemnly recited his oath in Punjabi. Following this, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla read out the obituary references for two sitting members and 11 former members who had passed away during the period between the last session and the current one. The House observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of these late members.
Similarly, in the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Singh Dhankar read an obituary reference for a sitting member, Hardwar Dubey, who had passed away during the inter-session period. The House also observed a moment of silence as a mark of respect for the departed leader and other former members who had passed away during the break.
Meanwhile, opposition members in both Houses had given notices for adjournment motions, demanding discussions on various issues, including the situation in Manipur. The adjournment motions were yet to be taken up when the Houses were adjourned due to the obituary references.
Prior to the adjournment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the members and expressed confidence that they would utilize the monsoon session to discuss matters of public welfare. He encouraged the MPs to engage in sharp and meaningful discussions, as he believed that such debates lead to better decisions for the benefit of the public. PM Modi emphasized the importance of discussions in shaping effective policies and bringing far-reaching results.
During his address, PM Modi also touched upon the significance of various bills, including the personal data protection bill, that are on the government’s agenda for this session.
Additionally, the Prime Minister addressed the distressing incident of ethnic violence in Manipur, where a video had emerged showing two women being paraded naked. He expressed his deep pain over the incident and asserted that those responsible for such actions would not be spared. He urged all chief ministers to strengthen law and order in their respective states, emphasizing that the honor and dignity of women should be above any political considerations.
Ahead of the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi had announced that 31 bills were on the government’s agenda for this monsoon session. These bills cover various topics and issues critical to the nation’s progress and development.