Chaos erupted in Parliament on Monday during the ongoing Budget Session as both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned within minutes of commencing proceedings. The disruption was sparked by a heated row in the Rajya Sabha over the issue of minority reservations, with opposition and ruling party members clashing over remarks concerning potential constitutional changes.

As the Rajya Sabha began its session, BJP MPs raised loud objections, demanding Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge clarify the Congress party’s position on reservations for Muslims. The uproar was triggered by a recent remark allegedly made by a senior Congress leader regarding constitutional amendments to extend reservation benefits to the Muslim community.

BJP MP Kiren Rijiju highlighted the issue, stating, “A senior Congress leader holding a constitutional post has made a statement that they (Congress) are going to change the Constitution of India to provide reservation to the Muslim community. We cannot take this statement lightly.”

Backing Rijiju, Leader of the House JP Nadda reiterated that the Constitution clearly mentions that reservation cannot be granted on the basis of religion. The statement added fuel to the fire, further intensifying the protests.

As tensions rose, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon due to similar disruptions.

Amid the uproar, important legislative business remains pending. In the Lok Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to move The Finance Bill, 2025 for consideration and passing. In the Rajya Sabha, she will also seek the passage of The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Parliament is expected to reconvene later in the day, with the government aiming to push forward with legislative agendas amid the political turbulence.

The Congress on Sunday launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, accusing the BJP of undermining social harmony and targeting minority communities for electoral gains.

In a strongly worded statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communication Jairam Ramesh alleged that the bill is designed to polarize society and weaken the administrative framework of waqf institutions.

Ramesh claimed that the bill, which was reportedly pushed through the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) without detailed clause-by-clause discussions, violates parliamentary norms and poses a threat to India’s constitutional values.

“The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is an assault on the Constitution of India itself. It seeks to demonize minority communities, dilute constitutional guarantees of equal rights, and defame their traditions and institutions to keep society perpetually divided for political benefits,” he said.

The Congress leader outlined five key concerns with the proposed amendments:

1. Weakening of Waqf Institutions: Ramesh argued that the bill aims to diminish the authority and stature of national and state waqf boards and tribunals, effectively stripping minority communities of their right to manage their religious and cultural affairs.
2. Ambiguity in Waqf Definition: The bill allegedly alters the definition of waqf, creating confusion over who can donate land for waqf purposes. Ramesh criticized the removal of the “waqf-by-user” concept, which was established by judicial precedent to protect long-standing customary practices.
3. Erosion of Existing Protections: The Congress accused the government of removing crucial provisions from the current law without justification, thereby weakening the administration of waqf properties.
4. Encroachment Defenses: Ramesh claimed that the bill introduces measures to protect individuals who have illegally occupied waqf lands, undermining efforts to reclaim such properties.
5. Excessive Powers to Government Officials: The bill reportedly grants sweeping authority to collectors and other government officials to derecognize waqf properties based on complaints or allegations, even before a final decision is reached.

Ramesh emphasized that these changes would allow state government officers to unilaterally derecognize waqf properties, leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary decisions. “Officers will now have the power to derecognize any waqf on mere allegations, treating the property as government-owned until proven otherwise,” he said.

The Congress’s criticism comes amid speculation that the government may introduce the Waqf Bill for passage in Parliament following the approval of the Finance Bill. The party has called for a thorough review of the proposed amendments, urging the government to prioritize social harmony and uphold constitutional principles.

A seemingly casual selfie shared by BJP MP Jay Panda featuring Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on a flight has stirred speculation yet again, prompting an immediate clarification from Tharoor. The BJP leader posted the image with a cheeky caption suggesting that they were “finally travelling in the same direction”, fuelling political chatter online.

“My friend & fellow traveler called me mischievous for saying that we seem to be finally travelling in the same direction,” Panda wrote in a post on X.

In response, Shashi Tharoor quickly clarified that the encounter was coincidental, stating he was en route to attend the Kalinga Literature Festival in Bhubaneswar, and would be returning the very next day

“Fellow traveller only to Bhubaneswar! I am addressing the Kalinga LitFest tomorrow morning. And coming right back,” he posted.

Background: Tharoor’s recent praise for rivals sparked internal row

The selfie follows recent controversies around Tharoor’s remarks praising the Kerala LDF government’s economic handling, which had earlier led to discomfort within the Congress leadership. His comments had drawn criticism from party colleagues, who accused him of projecting a “distorted” political narrative.

Tharoor had later toned down his earlier remarks, particularly after a report surfaced stating that over 42,000 MSMEs had shut down in Kerala in the past nine years.

The situation escalated when Tharoor, during a podcast, said he had “other options” if the Congress no longer needed his service. Though he clarified that he was not referring to political alternatives, it triggered fresh debates about his loyalty within party ranks.

Adding to the mix, a selfie shared with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan—the face of the Congress’s rival LDF—added to the speculation. The Congress central leadership later tried to dispel rumours of a rift by sharing visuals of party unity, including a post by Rahul Gandhi affirming that they “stand as one.”

This latest episode shows Tharoor’s caution in managing public perception amidst ongoing internal scrutiny, as he seeks to maintain balance between his individual outreach and party expectations.