Parliament: Key bills pass amid uproar, Amit Shah likely to address student protest crackdown

Parliament witnessed a flurry of legislative activity on Tuesday as the Lok Sabha passed two key bills amid Opposition protests, while President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to legislation providing legal protection to Vande Mataram.

Amit Shah is likely to speak in the House on the police crackdown against protesting students as the Opposition continued its protests, keeping Parliament's logjam alive.

The Lok Sabha passed the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 amid din.

The House also cleared the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, which seeks to officially change the state's name to Keralam. A separate copy of the Kerala name-change Bill has been reported. 

During the discussion on the Kerala Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said senior Kerala MP KC Venugopal was not allowed to express his views on the legislation, calling the situation unfortunate.

President Murmu, meanwhile, gave her assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, granting legal protection to Vande Mataram.

The latest developments came a day after two other key bills were passed in Parliament. The Lok Sabha had passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, without discussion amid uproar in the House.

The Rajya Sabha, meanwhile, passed the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, after a debate.

The legislation replaces a British-era law relating to the evidentiary use of bankers' books. The Lok Sabha was later adjourned for the day and will reconvene at 11 am on Wednesday.

The Lok Sabha also passed the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, through a voice vote amid loud sloganeering by Opposition MPs.

Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol moved the legislation in the House on behalf of Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

The Bill seeks to amend the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962, with the aim of making funding for cooperative societies quicker and more flexible.

It also proposes to broaden the role of the National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC), a statutory body under the Ministry of Cooperation that provides financial support and promotes cooperative societies.

The proposed changes are intended to strengthen the NCDC's role in financing the cooperative sector and improve access to funds for cooperative organisations across the country.

The legislative action in Parliament coincided with turmoil in the Jharkhand Assembly, which was adjourned sine die on Tuesday, a day ahead of schedule, amid protests over police action against students alleging irregularities in government recruitment examinations.

Kharge: Opposition not changing its stand

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said the Opposition had maintained a consistent position amid the Parliament logjam and was not 'changing its goalpost'.

He said the Opposition wants Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement on the alleged police brutality against protesting students, including the lathi-charge and firing, and explain who ordered the action.

Kharge said the Jharkhand student protest was a 'separate issue' and questioned whether every issue could be taken up on the same day. He said the Opposition's other demands include a statement on students who were injured or hospitalised, the 'Chanda Chori' issue and an apology, adding that these demands would remain until they are addressed.

The protests escalated in Ranchi on Monday after job aspirants marching towards the Assembly were met with tear gas, water cannons and lathi-charge.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on July 20 and is scheduled to conclude on August 13.