Parliament deadlock: Rijiju meets Rahul Gandhi to break logjam; Amit Shah may speak on FCRA bill

Since the Monsoon session began, the ongoing logjam in Parliament has repeatedly disrupted proceedings. The Union government on Wednesday, August 5, reached out to the principal opposition Congress in a bid to end these protests and seek its cooperation in smooth functioning of the House in the remaining days.

There has been talk in some political quarters about the possible reintroduction of the Delimitation Bill, which was defeated in the last session, and the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill in a special session of Parliament after Independence Day, but government sources said there is no such move yet.

While there is no clarity on whether the Delimitation Bill will be brought in this session itself before it concludes on August 13, sources said Home Minister Amit Shah will speak in Parliament when the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 is introduced in the House for discussion and passage.

The Opposition has been questioning Shah's absence from the House proceedings.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to break the persistent deadlock in the House, the sources said.

Since the Monsoon session began on July 20, the Lok Sabha has not been able to complete its Question Hour. Five bills have been passed without discussion amid din.

The opposition parties initially protested over the NEET paper leaks and alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple. They later pressed for a discussion on police action against students protesting over the NEET paper leak and also demanded the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister and their statements.

The sources said that during the meeting, Rijiju sought Gandhi's cooperation in ending the logjam in Parliament.

On August 5 too, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm following opposition uproar in the Lower House. The House was later adjourned for the day.

As soon as the House met, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asked members to go back to their seats and allow the House to take up the Question Hour.

"Sloganeering, whether inside or outside the House, is not good for democracy. By showing placards and sloganeering, you are lowering the dignity of the House," Birla told opposition members.

Birla said many members have approached him saying that important questions are listed but the House is not able to take up the Question Hour due to the disruption created by the opposition members.

(With inputs from PTI)