21 Days, 37 Hours of Work and ₹180 Crore Wasted: Monsoon Session Ends Amid Opposition Protests

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die on Thursday, officially bringing to an end the turbulent 21-day-long Monsoon Session. The session, which was expected to deliberate on critical issues facing the nation, instead descended into repeated disruptions, adjournments, and uproar led by the Opposition.

Despite a scheduled 120 hours of discussion, only 37 hours of actual debate took place in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha combined. The rest of the time was consumed by shouting, sloganeering, and walkouts, with the Opposition continuing its protests over the Bihar SIR (Systematic Investigation and Revision) voter list update and allegations of “vote theft.”

Speaker’s Rebuke & PM’s Mixed Assessment

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed his disappointment, saying the Opposition’s conduct had fallen short of the dignity of Parliament and democratic values. He criticized those who claimed to “save democracy” while hollowing out its institutions with chaos and obstruction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present on the last day, struck a more nuanced note. While he described the session as “successful” on the grounds that 12 bills were passed in the Lok Sabha and 15 in the Rajya Sabha, he also underlined the “extremely disappointing” role of the Opposition, accusing it of abandoning its responsibility at a critical time for the nation.

Source: https://mpa.gov.in/bills-list

The Global Context: Missed Opportunities for Unity

The Prime Minister and senior leaders reminded Parliament that India is facing extraordinary international and security challenges:

👉 US Sanctions Uncertainty: With Donald Trump back in power in Washington, New Delhi faces the looming threat of unpredictable sanctions while Washington simultaneously courts Pakistan.

👉 Pakistan’s Nuclear Threats: Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir and PM Sawa Sharif continue to issue reckless nuclear threats against India.

👉 China’s Unpredictability: Relations with Beijing remain tense and fragile.

👉 Strategic Choices with Russia: New opportunities exist with Moscow, but require political unity at home to pursue effectively.

At such a juncture, the government expected the Opposition to rally around the national interest—perhaps even pushing for a strong resolution against Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail or a firm message against foreign interference in India’s democracy. Instead, the Opposition, led by Congress, reduced itself to chants of “vote thief” and black-shirt protests.

Rahul Gandhi’s Black Shirt Protest & Operation Sindoor

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in particular, came under fire. Wearing a black T-shirt in Parliament, he declared that India was facing its “biggest opportunity” for the Opposition—a remark ruling party leaders called “irresponsible” and akin to trying to trigger chaos similar to Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.

The Opposition also seized on Operation Sindoor, using it to echo Donald Trump’s claim that the Indian economy was “dead.” Instead of offering constructive alternatives or backing India’s stance, Congress MPs allegedly amplified foreign narratives that undermined India’s image abroad.

CSDS, Soros, and the ‘Foreign Hand’ Allegations

The government and ruling party leaders accused the Opposition of running a coordinated propaganda campaign using CSDS survey data to spread claims of voter fraud. When the data was discredited, critics pointed out that CSDS members themselves issued apologies.

Questions were also raised about whether such propaganda—funded allegedly by foreign organizations like the Ford Foundation and influenced by billionaire activist George Soros—was designed to discredit India’s democratic credentials internationally.

The Chaotic Scenes Inside Parliament

The Monsoon Session was marred by unprecedented disorder:

👉 Scuffles & Mic-Snatching: In one shocking moment, MPs stormed towards the front rows, forcing Home Minister Amit Shah to step back three rows from his usual seat for safety.

👉 Marshals Called In: Parliamentary marshals had to intervene to prevent physical altercations.

👉 Vandalism Allegations: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee was accused of breaking objects during a heated Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) session.

👉 Disrespect to National Symbols: During one sitting, when Jana Gana Mana was played, Opposition members were seen strolling casually instead of standing in respect—an act ruling MPs called “shameful.”

These incidents, coupled with slogans and protests, ensured that nearly ₹180 crore of taxpayers’ money spent on conducting the session went largely to waste.

Bills Passed Despite Disruptions

Despite the chaos, the government managed to push through several important bills, including the Online Gaming Regulation Bill, among others. Leaders of the ruling party argued that while the government fulfilled its legislative responsibility, the Opposition shirked its democratic duty.

Opposition’s Strategy: Stalling Parliament Ahead of Elections?

Observers believe the Opposition’s constant disruptions were part of a larger political strategy. With Bihar elections looming, and the SIR issue sub-judice in the Supreme Court and under the Election Commission’s review, the Opposition may have deliberately used Parliament as a platform to keep the controversy alive.

The government fears the same tactic may be repeated during the West Bengal elections, with the Opposition planning fresh agitations to stall parliamentary proceedings.

The Final Takeaway

The Monsoon Session of 2025 will likely be remembered less for its legislative output and more for its spectacle of disorder. While the government showcased its ability to pass bills amidst turmoil, the Opposition is being increasingly criticized for reducing Parliament to a stage for television theatrics rather than meaningful debate.

In the end, the biggest losers may not be the political parties but the Indian public, who watched their representatives squander valuable parliamentary time on slogans instead of solutions.