Both Houses of Parliament have been adjourned for the day. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha has approved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 after hours of discussion, PTI reported. The bill recommended that the total number of Supreme Court Judges be increased by four.
Earlier, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and discussed the proposed Delimitation Bill, according to Congress sources. During the meeting, Rijiju sought to understand the Congress party’s position on the proposed legislation, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Opposition MPs continued their protest in the Parliament complex on Wednesday. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other Opposition MPs marched from the Gandhi statue to Makar Dwar while raising slogans.
They are demanding answers from the government over the lathicharge on protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20 and the Ram Mandir donation theft. The Opposition has demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah address the issue in Parliament.
The Lok Sabha proceedings began at 11 am but were adjourned until 2 pm within a minute due to the Opposition’s uproar. Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is holding a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in Parliament.
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Photos of the protest in the Parliament complex…
Updates
In his special address at the Rajya Sabha, MLA from Punjab, Ashok Kumar Mittal, highlighted that Indians living abroad have been facing severe incidents of hate crimes. He claimed that this must remain a major concern in the eyes of the government.
When a bill is returned in Parliament, it means the President is asking the lawmakers to take a second look at a law before it is finalized.
How it works in 3 simple steps:
The Return: Parliament passes a bill and sends it to the President to sign. Instead of signing it, the President sends it back with notes suggesting changes.
The Review: Parliament reads the President’s notes. They discuss the bill again and can choose to make the changes or leave the bill exactly as it was.
The Final Sign-off: Parliament passes the bill a second time and sends it back to the President. This time, the President must sign it and pass it into law.
In his statement, Law Minister, Meghwal said that the change in the number of judges is a need of the time.
He also discusses a letter which was written by the CJI to the PM highlighting the higher number of cases in the SC.
He also said that the bill also proposes the digitisation of law proceedings.
In his Rajya Sabha address, IUML’s Haris Beeran from Kerala said that, the need to increase the number of judges is needed at every level of the justice system.
He also highlighted that the age of retirement of judges must also be increased.
Additionally, the salaries of judges and council members must also be increased at lower levels.
In his address, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) leader Pramod Boro also highlighted that the people of the Northeast face a major problem. They have to travel to Delhi each and every time a hearing or any proceeding is scheduled.
In his address to the Rajya Sabha DMK leader P Wilson has urged the Parliament to make regional benches of the Supreme Court.
He also addressed the fact that the diversity of the Supreme Court Judges is a concern.
While expressing his support for the bill to increase the number of SC judges, Kesridevsinh Jhala from BJP said that the bill is not only an appreciated move but also a much-needed step to strengthen the Judicial system of India.
The bill is not just about increasing the 4 Supreme Court judges; it is about whether or not the Parliament is ready to address the greater crisis of India’s Justice delivery system.
He also said that we should not close our eyes to reality. The police get all sorts of matters, both civil and criminal. The people don’t come to the police because they have faith in the police. But they come to the police because their belief in the justice system is even less than that of the police.
They believe that if they go to the court, the matter will get stuck and their grandchildren will get the final judgment.
BJP leader from Bihar, Bhim Singh, in his address to the Rajya Sabha, quoted various ancient texts that support the concept that justice delayed is justice denied.
He also said that India has long been following the same concept; hence, the bill is essential for the people of India.
In her address, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Mahua Maji said that the country not only needs more judges but also needs a better justice system.
In his address to the Rajya Sabha after Sanjay Singh, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of India Kiren Rijiju praised Singh’s support of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh is addressing the number of cases pending at various levels of the courts.
He also addresses that the number of courts must also be increased in the country to manage the justice system easily.
Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moves the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing.
Congress leader KC Venugopal on Wednesday said the party and the entire Opposition are united in opposing the proposed FCRA Bill, asserting that it cannot be brought back in its previous form.
He said Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had clearly conveyed the Opposition’s concerns and reiterated that Congress would strongly resist what it described as a “draconian” legislation, adding that the party would not allow the Bill to be passed in its current form.
JMM MP Mahua Maji on Wednesday defended the Jharkhand government’s handling of the JPSC paper leak case, saying prompt action was taken as soon as the issue came to light.
She said the chairman concerned was made to resign, a CID investigation was launched immediately, and regular raids have led to multiple arrests and interrogations.
Maji said the government is committed to ensuring the strictest punishment for those found guilty and preventing such incidents in the future.
She added that Chief Minister Hemant Soren is personally concerned about the issue and believes in delivering results through action rather than making promises.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal on Wednesday questioned the Opposition’s protests in Parliament, alleging that it had remained silent over the ongoing JPSC paper leak agitation in Ranchi.
He said students in Jharkhand have been protesting for 13 days, but the state’s Chief Minister has not spoken to them, nor have Rahul Gandhi or other Opposition leaders raised the issue.
Pal contrasted this with the Centre’s response, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi and two senior Union ministers addressed students’ concerns and accepted their demands.
He accused the Opposition of deliberately disrupting Parliament and preventing the House from functioning.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he lacks a vision, a development agenda and a positive political programme.
She claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s politics is based solely on allegations and misconceptions, and accused him of repeatedly targeting national institutions and ideological organisations without facts. Defending the RSS, Swaraj said the organisation has been contributing to nation-building for the past 100 years and is among the first to reach disaster-hit areas for relief work.
She further alleged that Rahul Gandhi disregards democratic norms by repeatedly accusing the RSS and said voters have consistently rejected the Congress party’s “divisive politics.”
Questioning Gandhi’s stand on student issues, Swaraj asked why the concern he expresses during student protests “turns into silence” when paper leak incidents take place in Jharkhand.
Congress MP KC Venugopal said the party and the Opposition would strongly oppose the FCRA Bill if it is brought in its old format.
He said Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had expressed serious concerns over the proposed legislation and asserted that the Opposition would not allow what he called a “draconian” bill to be passed in Parliament.
Congress sourcesUnion Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and discussed the proposed Delimitation Bill, according to Congress sources. During the meeting, Rijiju sought to understand the Congress party’s position on the proposed legislation, the sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a breakfast meeting with 37 BJP MPs at his residence. The meeting was attended by senior BJP leaders as well as some MPs from the NDA’s ally parties.
Congress MP KC Venugopal said the Opposition has demanded a discussion on the alleged “Chanda Chori” issue, calling it a matter of national concern.
He accused the Centre of avoiding debate in Parliament, sought a statement from the Home Minister over alleged atrocities against students, and alleged the government was trying to push legislation without proper discussion.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said those holding public office have a responsibility towards the people and must be held accountable for their actions. She asserted that India is a democracy, not a dictatorship or anyone’s “royal court.”
Referring to the action against students, Priyanka said if bullets were fired, pellet guns were used, tear gas was deployed, or lathi charges were ordered, then those responsible should be identified and held accountable. She said someone must have issued those orders and should take responsibility.
As Opposition MPs continued their protest at Parliament’s Prerna Sthal, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the Opposition has consistently demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah come to Parliament and make a statement on the July 20 attack on students.
Tagore said the Opposition is also seeking a discussion on the alleged “Chanda Chori” issue with time allotted for it. “Our demand is simple: Amit Shah should come to Parliament and make a statement on the July 20 attack on the students. We also want a discussion on the alleged ‘Chanda Chori’ issue. We want Parliament to function,” he said.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi lacks vision and a positive agenda, alleging that his politics is based on accusations. She accused him of targeting national institutions and the RSS without facts.
Swaraj also questioned Gandhi’s stand on student issues, asking why he did not speak about alleged paper leaks in Jharkhand.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said issues related to public sentiment and people’s livelihoods will be raised in Parliament.
She added E20 fuel is damaging vehicle engines and affecting mileage, alleging that the government has not issued clear guidelines on the matter.
TMC MP Sagarika Ghose alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were responsible for the ongoing deadlock in Parliament.
She claimed both leaders were avoiding Parliament out of fear, leading to the continued impasse.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the Opposition is demanding that the Prime Minister come to Parliament and address issues concerning the nation.
He said it was regrettable that both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister were absent from the House, adding that their accountability on key national issues was also missing.
Both Houses witnessed heated protests on the 12th day of the Monsoon Session over the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned until Tuesday after continuous protests by Opposition members over the Ram Mandir donation theft issue.
Opposition MPs staged a protest in Parliament over the Ram Mandir donation theft issue. MP Pappu Yadav arrived dressed as a priest carrying a donation box, while Rahul Gandhi made a symbolic donation.
The amendment Bill related to paper leaks was passed by the Rajya Sabha after clearing the Lok Sabha. It will now be sent to the President for assent before becoming law.
The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, by voice vote.
The appointment of Pralhad Joshi as Education Minister triggered protests in the Lok Sabha. Outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government had made “a person who defended a rapist” the Education Minister.
The deadlock in Parliament over the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was expected to end after Speaker Om Birla held discussions with party leaders.
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai introduced the National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing punishment for insulting Vande Mataram or deliberately disrupting its singing.
Members of the NDA and the Opposition confronted each other outside Parliament on the fourth day of the Monsoon Session.
Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted due to Opposition protests. Later, the Congress and other Opposition parties staged a protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
On the second day of the Monsoon Session, MPs from the NDA and the INDIA bloc held separate meetings, while disruptions by the Opposition forced adjournment of the House.
In the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said the government was trying to suppress students’ voices by using force against the Cockroach Janata Party protest at Jantar Mantar.
