Closes with Vande Mataram
New Delhi, Aug 13: Parliament’s Monsoon Session came to a close on Thursday with the Lok Sabha being adjourned sine die after the recitation of Vande Mataram, capping a stormy session marked by repeated disruptions, sharp confrontations between the NDA and Opposition, and limited legislative business despite the passage of several key Bills.
The Lower House was adjourned on its last working day following the recitation of the National Song, with members across party lines standing in respect. The proceedings began on a turbulent note as Opposition MPs raised slogans and displayed placards, seeking to corner the government over various issues.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appealed for order before requesting members to rise for the recitation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were present in the House during the 3-minute-long rendition, a notable development given the Opposition’s repeated criticism during the session over the alleged absence of senior government leaders during key debates.
The recitation came days after the President gave assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, which grants Vande Mataram the same statutory status and protection as the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Under Home Ministry guidelines issued earlier this year, the recitation of all six stanzas of the National Song has been made mandatory at official functions, with violations punishable by imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
The Monsoon Session, which ran from July 20 to August 13, witnessed a prolonged standoff between the government and the Opposition, particularly over the Opposition’s demand for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the police action against students during the July 20 protest march.
On the final day, both sides traded blame for the disruptions that repeatedly stalled proceedings.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of derailing the session through what he termed “highly irresponsible behaviour” and said productive work suffered because of the Opposition’s approach. Union Minister Anupriya Patel alleged that the Opposition never intended to allow Parliament to function, while Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar claimed the Opposition backed away even after the government agreed to discussions on the issues it had raised.
Minister of State S.P. Singh Baghel also held Rahul Gandhi responsible for the repeated disruptions, saying those claiming to defend the Constitution had played the most irresponsible role during the session.
The Opposition rejected the government’s criticism and accused it of evading accountability on issues affecting the public.
Congress MP Deepender Hooda alleged that the Centre failed to respond adequately to concerns such as inflation, unemployment, the NEET paper leak, the use of pellet guns against students, and the E20 fuel issue. Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Sanjay Yadav said the session had been “washed away” because of the BJP’s actions, while Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav criticised the government for not allowing discussion on allegations of misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai also questioned the government’s handling of the student protest issue.
Telugu Desam Party MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti remarked that although more than 15 Bills were passed, there was inadequate discussion on many of them. First-time Rajya Sabha MP Satish Poonia expressed disappointment that the frequent disruptions prevented meaningful debate and learning opportunities in Parliament.
Despite the persistent deadlock, Parliament cleared several significant measures during the session, including the NEET Amendment Bill, taxation-related legislation, and the referral of the FCRA Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
The session, however, will largely be remembered for the prolonged government-opposition confrontation that overshadowed legislative business and culminated in a symbolic conclusion marked by the first full recitation of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha after it was accorded statutory status equivalent to the National Anthem.
