What was expected to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s key address in Parliament on Wednesday turned into a major political flashpoint, as his absence from the Lok Sabha—amid a fierce controversy over former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir on the 2020 China standoff—triggered sharp accusations and an all-out confrontation between the BJP and the Opposition.
PM Modi was scheduled to reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address at 5 pm. However, following repeated disruptions and sloganeering by Opposition members, the Speaker adjourned the Lok Sabha without the Prime Minister’s address.
The standoff centred on Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to cite General Naravane’s unpublished memoir on the 2020 eastern Ladakh standoff. BJP leaders objected, arguing that referencing an unpublished book violated parliamentary rules and risked demoralising the armed forces.
The BJP accused the Opposition of deliberately creating chaos to prevent the Prime Minister from speaking. Union Minister Giriraj Singh termed the Opposition’s conduct irresponsible, saying such disruption during the President’s Address was unprecedented. “Do they think this is the Nehru family’s kingdom or the Congress party’s office?” he asked.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan alleged that the Congress was stifling even other Opposition voices. “Climbing onto tables and insulting the Speaker is unacceptable. This sets a dangerous precedent,” he said.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale accused the Opposition of disrespecting democratic institutions and Dalit MPs, alleging papers were thrown when TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti, a Dalit MP, was presiding over the House.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur charged that Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition were interested only in disruption. “They don’t want to discuss India’s progress. Their agenda is to create a ruckus and paralyse Parliament,” he said.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also alleged misconduct, claiming Opposition MPs stood with banners near the Prime Minister’s seat. “Protest has limits. This arrogance of the Congress threatens parliamentary traditions,” he said.
BJP leaders maintained that PM Modi was ready to address the House but was denied the opportunity due to Congress-led disruptions.
The Congress, however, alleged that the Prime Minister avoided Parliament to escape scrutiny on national security issues. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of being “scared.” Writing on X, he said the Prime Minister did not want to “face the truth.”
Outside Parliament, Gandhi said he was prepared to personally hand over General Naravane’s book to the Prime Minister. He alleged the memoir showed political leadership abandoning the Army during the Ladakh crisis and claimed the book was published abroad but not permitted in India.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the charge, saying the Prime Minister skipped the House out of fear. Jairam Ramesh argued that debate cannot function if the Leader of Opposition is silenced, while TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh said democracy demands the Opposition be allowed to speak.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari described the episode as a “dark chapter” for parliamentary culture, accusing the government of invoking Nehru and Indira Gandhi to deflect attention from the Naravane issue.
Tensions escalated further outside Parliament after Rahul Gandhi called Union MoS for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu a “traitor.” Bittu retaliated by calling Gandhi “desh ke dushman” and accused the Congress of hypocrisy, invoking Operation Blue Star and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri condemned Gandhi’s remark, stating that the term “traitor” implies betrayal of the nation and should never be used lightly.
The BJP launched protests in Delhi and Punjab, demanding Gandhi’s apology and resignation. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, who led protests calling Gandhi a “gaddaar,” was later detained by police.
Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned multiple times amid protests over the suspension of eight Opposition MPs for allegedly throwing papers at the Chair during demonstrations linked to the Naravane reference. The suspended MPs continued protests outside Parliament, displaying posters accusing the Prime Minister of being “compromised.”
By evening, PM Modi’s scheduled address had lapsed, the House remained paralysed, and the Budget Session witnessed another day of turmoil. Both Houses will reconvene at 11 am on Thursday. (ANI)
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