The government is unlikely to accept the opposition’s demand for a discussion in Parliament on the ongoing crisis in West Asia, maintaining that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has already briefed both Houses on the situation.
Government sources said the priority in the Lok Sabha would instead be to take up the no-confidence motion moved against Speaker Om Birla, which is now expected to be discussed on Tuesday after repeated disruptions stalled proceedings on Monday.
According to the sources, a fresh debate on the West Asia conflict is unlikely as the external affairs minister has already addressed the issue in Parliament.
Both Houses witnessed disruptions during the day as opposition members demanded a full-fledged discussion on the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
In the Lok Sabha, proceedings were repeatedly adjourned amid noisy protests from opposition benches. As Jaishankar rose to make a statement on the “situation in West Asia”, several opposition members raised slogans and pressed for a detailed debate on the issue.
Jagadambika Pal, who was chairing the proceedings, said the concerns raised by the opposition were being addressed through the government’s responses. He also pointed out that the resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla was already listed for discussion.
Pal questioned how the opposition expected both issues to be debated on the same day, noting that they were simultaneously pushing for an adjournment motion to discuss West Asia.
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After Jaishankar concluded his statement, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused opposition parties of disregarding the norms of the House.
He said their notice seeking the removal of Birla had already been admitted and the government was ready to take up that discussion, but the opposition continued to disrupt proceedings.
In the Rajya Sabha, Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a short-duration discussion on the implications of the West Asia crisis for India, particularly regarding energy security.
Kharge raised the issue shortly before Jaishankar made a suo motu statement in the Upper House on the evolving situation.
Opposition members protested during the minister’s statement and staged a walkout towards the end of his remarks.
Outside Parliament, opposition leaders including Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav held a protest demanding a detailed debate on the conflict.
“As the Parliament reconvenes for the second part of the Budget session, US-Israel war with Iran has reached our backyard. In this context, it is imperative to have a full-fledged discussion on the current geopolitical crisis,” Kharge said in a post on X.
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