Govt to table key bills, Oppn targets Shah
As the Government prepares itself to introduce key Bills, including two scheduled in the name of Home Minister Amit Shah, the Opposition too is adamant on their demand for a statement from not less than Shah on the police action on the protesting students in the national Capital last month, which led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Ruling BJP as well as Congress and others have issued a whip to their MPs in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha to ensure their presence in the Parliament on August 10, 11 and 12. Congress asked all INDIA Bloc allies to ensure that their MPs remain present on the three days.
Shah will introduce the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution to change the official name of the State from “Kerala” to “Keralam”. If approved, the constitutional change will formally recognise “Keralam” as the State’s official name.
Another bill in the name of Shah is for the introduction of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation aims to provide greater financial strength to the cooperative sector.
Both the Houses of Parliament remain deadlocked over the Opposition’s demand that Shah should make a statement in both Houses on the alleged police brutalities during the students’ July 20 protest over the paper-leak issue. Most of the legislative business has been conducted amid din.
Amid the demand, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Opposition cannot dictate which minister will come to the House and respond to their questions.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday again questioned Shah’s silence over alleged police brutalities against protesting students and asserted that sooner or later, the BJP leader would have to answer for “this crime”.
“Amit Shahji, do not think for a moment that we will stop demanding accountability. Batons and pellets were used against young people on the streets of the Capital — and you did not utter a single word. Sooner or later, you will have to answer for this crime,” Rahul said.
Simultaneously, as the Government is likely to table the FCRA Amendment Bill during this week, the Opposition is also gearing up to resist it. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition intends to block the Government’s FCRA move and a decision in this regard will be taken on Monday.
“We will make a decision after convening an all-party meeting, specifically of floor leaders, before the resumption of the session on Monday,” Kharge said.
Several Opposition parties have expressed their Opposition to the FCRA Amendment Bill. The Bill seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, with the stated objective of enhancing transparency and accountability in the regulation of foreign contributions.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday to present recommendations and register regional concerns regarding the FCRA. Lalduhoma later said that he had raised six issues with Shah. DMK president MK Stalin on Saturday urged the Union Government to withdraw the FCRA Amendment Bill and repeal Section 15 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
Other Bills scheduled are by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to introduce the Tribunal Reforms Bill, 2026. The Bill seeks to simplify and improve the functioning of various tribunals. It proposes greater transparency and uniformity in the appointment, selection process and tenure of tribunal chairpersons and members.
Mining Minister G Kishan Reddy will introduce the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The proposed changes focus on encouraging private investment and simplifying the process for exploration of critical minerals and the grant of mining leases.
