Walkout over Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, Waqf Act amendments: Here’s what happened in Parliament | India News

Declare landslides in Wayanad a national disaster: Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi pressed the government to declare the recent landslides in Wayanad a national disaster. “The people of Wayanad need immediate support. We must enhance compensation and provide a comprehensive rehabilitation package,” he said.

Opposition stages walkout over Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics due to being 100 grams overweight in the women’s 50kg category. He said the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has lodged a strong protest with the United World Wrestling (UWW) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed IOA President PT Usha to take necessary actions. Mandaviya emphasised that the government provided full support to Vinesh, including a coach and physiotherapist. Following his statement, Opposition members walked out, demanding clarification on the issue.

Waqf Act amendment

A Bill to amend the Waqf Act was also circulated among MPs, with plans for its introduction in the ongoing session. This amendment aims to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, and proposes changes to ensure better representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf management bodies.

Heated exchanges in Rajya Sabha

Tensions ran high in the Rajya Sabha, where proceedings kicked off with a fraught exchange between MP Tiruchi Siva and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Siva attempted to raise a Point of Order but was met with interruptions. Dhankhar addressed the House, referring to concerns from floor leaders about his authority, which they labelled as “unprecedented and unilateral.” He assured members he would address their grievances later in the session.

In a related incident, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge faced criticism from Dhankhar for sending a message to the Chairman without clarifying the discussion topic. Dhankhar said, “Search your souls in sacrilege of this temple of democracy. Rather than reflecting on their actions, they are walking out, shouting. If we continue like this, people’s faith will be lost. The respect for our deliberations is at its lowest level now,” said Dhankar, accusing the Opposition of taking the Chair “light-heartedly.”

Other voices

Several leaders chimed in during the proceedings:

📌 Brijendra Singh Ola (Congress) criticised the Budget, saying, “This Budget fails to address the issues faced by the common man, particularly in agriculture,” arguing it disproportionately favours the wealthy while neglecting the middle class and farmers.

📌Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut asserted, “The government must take immediate action regarding the plight of farmers and ensure their voices are heard in the budget.”

📌 Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien called for a more inclusive approach in governance, saying, “We need policies that uplift every section of society, not just the privileged few.”

📌 Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha urged the government to reconsider its tax policies, saying, “The middle class is suffering under the weight of taxation; we need to provide relief.”

📌Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised the North-East Frontier Railway Zone for its step-motherly treatment towards the Northeast. “It must be ensured that railway vacancies are filled by local youths. These young people are unemployed, agitated, and struggling to secure jobs within their own zone,” the Congress MP said in Lok Sabha.

Ministerial responses and criticism

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took centre stage during discussions surrounding the Finance Bill, defending the government’s tax policies. “The new tax regime benefits the middle class and promotes investment,” she said, adding that 72.8% of taxpayers opted for the new regime, indicating a shift in public sentiment toward the government’s fiscal strategies.