India-US trade deal row, Naravane's book rock Lok Sabha; Kerala Assembly disrupted over Sabarimala gold theft

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha was rocked for the second consecutive day over the India-US trade agreement and references in a book by former Army Chief M M Naravane regarding Chinese incursions. Chaos erupted after the microphone of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was switched off while he was referring to the book. Opposition members climbed onto the tables in the Well of the House and tore papers, throwing them towards the Speaker's chair. Following the incident, the Speaker suspended eight MPs, including Kerala MPs Hibi Eden and Dean Kuriakose, for the remainder of the session.

The other MPs suspended were Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Kiran Kumar Reddy, and Prashant Padole of the Congress, and S Venkatesan of the CPM. When the House convened in the morning, the Opposition staged protests alleging that US President Donald Trump had unilaterally announced the trade agreement. The disruption led to the House being adjourned till noon. However, when proceedings resumed, the uproar continued, forcing another adjournment.

At 2 pm, when the House met again, the Speaker invited Rahul Gandhi to speak with the condition that he should restrict himself to the President’s policy address. However, Rahul Gandhi said he wanted to refer to details reported in a magazine article based on the unpublished memoirs of M M Naravane, stating that the information was authentic.

Rahul Gandhi said tensions between China and the US were a major global issue and also a key part of the President’s address. He added that he wanted to speak about what had happened between India and China and how the Prime Minister had responded to it. This triggered loud protests from the ruling party, leading to another adjournment of the House. When the House met again at 3 pm, a motion moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to suspend the MPs was passed by voice vote, and the House was adjourned for the day.

Banner torn, chaos in Kerala Assembly THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Legislative Assembly witnessed tense scenes during an Opposition protest alleging interference by the Chief Minister’s Office in delaying the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case. A banner raised by Opposition members blocking the Speaker’s view was forcibly seized and torn by the Watch and Ward staff. Two Opposition MLAs jumped onto the Speaker’s dais and raised slogans. Pushing and shoving broke out between Watch and Ward personnel and Opposition members, while ruling party MLAs also entered the Well of the House. The Speaker adjourned the proceedings twice, and the House remained disrupted for nearly an hour.

As Question Hour began at 9 am, Opposition members entered the Well holding placards and banners. Despite Speaker A N Shamseer warning them to lower the banner obstructing his view or face its removal, the protesters refused to comply. As proceedings continued, ruling party members moved closer to the Well in response.

When Watch and Ward staff tried to remove the banner, Opposition members resisted, leading to scuffles. As some Opposition MLAs attempted to climb onto the Speaker’s dais, the Speaker left the House. When the House reconvened during Zero Hour, the Opposition again tried to approach the dais. Watch and Ward staff forcibly took away the banner, after which the Speaker directed them to move away from the Opposition members.

The pushing and shoving intensified. MLA Anwar Sadath crossed the railing in front of the Speaker’s dais and entered the inner area, raising slogans. During the struggle with the Watch and Ward staff, Sadath fell to the floor. MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan also jumped into the area soon after. As tensions escalated, the Speaker adjourned the House. When it reconvened at 10.34 am, the Opposition boycotted the proceedings.