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Parliament – The Lok Sabha witnessed renewed disorder on Monday as tensions between the government and the Opposition escalated, triggered by objections over remarks linked to the 2020 Ladakh standoff and a separate controversy over an informal comment directed at the Chair. The developments unfolded amid an already strained atmosphere in the House, which had faced repeated disruptions earlier in the day.

The friction deepened when members from the Opposition benches were pulled up for allegedly using the term “yaar,” a colloquial expression, while addressing the presiding officer. Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was officiating as the Chair, expressed strong displeasure and described the remark as inappropriate for parliamentary proceedings.

Chair Raises Objection Over Informal Address

Intervening firmly, Tenneti reminded members that casual or slang expressions have no place in the House. “You cannot address the Chair in that manner,” he said, cautioning Opposition lawmakers to maintain decorum. While Congress members appeared to take the remark lightly and argued that no offence was intended, the Chair made it clear that parliamentary language standards must be upheld at all times.

The exchange added to the charged mood in the House, which had already been grappling with sharp disagreements over procedural and substantive issues.

Debate Reignites Over Ladakh References

The situation deteriorated further when the Lok Sabha reconvened at 2 p.m. following adjournments earlier in the day. Soon after proceedings resumed, noisy scenes erupted as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought permission to raise points drawn from a media article referring to material in a forthcoming book by former Army Chief General Manoj Naravane.

Gandhi insisted that the matter was of national importance and linked directly to the Ladakh military standoff of August 2020. However, the Chair declined to allow the reference, citing procedural restrictions.

Rule Cited to Deny Permission

Explaining the decision, the presiding officer referred to Rule 239 of the Lok Sabha’s rules of procedure. According to the ruling, members are not permitted to cite or debate information that is unverified or lacks official confirmation. The Chair maintained that the material Gandhi wished to quote fell under this category and could not be discussed on the floor of the House.

Gandhi countered the argument by stating that the source of the information had been authenticated and that he was being unfairly prevented from speaking. He claimed that repeated denials had effectively silenced the Opposition leader during a critical debate.

Opposition Protests Speaking Restrictions

Persisting with his objections, Gandhi argued that the President’s Address, which Parliament was debating, outlined India’s future direction and necessarily included global strategic concerns. He said tensions between the United States and China, as well as India’s own border challenges, were central to the country’s national interest.

“Why should I be stopped from raising these issues?” he asked, expressing frustration at the refusal to grant him the floor. His remarks were met with repeated interruptions from the Chair, further inflaming tempers.

Uproar and Sloganeering in the House

As the standoff continued, Opposition members rose from their seats and began sloganeering, accusing the Chair of denying the Leader of the Opposition the right to speak on matters of national importance. The din made it difficult for proceedings to continue, forcing repeated appeals for order.

Despite calls for calm, the impasse remained unresolved for much of the session, underscoring the deep divisions between the Treasury benches and the Opposition. The episode marked yet another instance of parliamentary business being disrupted amid sharp political confrontations.