‘Do what is right’: Protesting women MPs surround PM Modi’s seat in Lok Sabha

Disruptions in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday led to the cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the Vote of Thanks on the President’s address. The confrontation stemmed from the Opposition’s protest after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was barred from quoting unpublished portions of former Army chief M.M. Naravane’s memoirs, an issue that has kept Opposition benches agitated since morning.

The House witnessed repeated adjournments. When proceedings resumed around 5 pm, shortly before the Prime Minister was scheduled to speak, women Opposition MPs, including Varsha Gaikwad and Jyotimani, blocked seats of ruling party members, including the Prime Minister’s chair. Holding a banner reading “Do what is right”, they protested the suspension of eight Opposition MPs a day earlier.

Presiding officer Sandhya Rai adjourned the House, following which the blockade ended after intervention by ministers.

When the House reassembled at noon, fresh sloganeering over the 2020 China stand-off forced another adjournment, leading to the cancellation of the Prime Minister’s address. The Vote of Thanks remains pending, with proceedings set to continue tomorrow. (With inputs from Agencies)