Rajya Sabha adjourned twice as Opposition protests disrupt Question Hour
Synopsis
Rajya Sabha was thrown into chaos twice on Monday as the Opposition refused to let Question Hour proceed, forcing the Chair to adjourn till 2 pm. Even as slogans drowned out debate, Power Minister Manohar Lal managed to assert that India had hit a record peak demand of 270.8 GW — with 284 GW capacity in hand and 300 GW in the pipeline.
Key Takeaways
Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm on 10 August — the second adjournment of the day — amid Opposition sloganeering during Question Hour.
Opposition members raised slogans demanding the Home Minister appear in the House, his resignation, and the right of the Leader of Opposition to speak.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal stated there is no power shortage anywhere in India, citing a record peak demand of 270.8 GW met successfully.
India currently has an available generation capacity of 284 GW , with preparations underway to meet a projected 300 GW peak demand next year.
BJP member Laxmi Verma asked her maiden question on setting up a power plant in Chhattisgarh , citing Baloda Bazar district as an industrial growth area needing power support.
The standoff stems from Opposition demands for discussion on the alleged July 20 police action against students in Delhi .
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm on Monday, 10 August after Opposition members continued to disrupt proceedings during Question Hour for the second time in the day, forcing Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan to suspend the session amid sloganeering and pandemonium. The disruptions marked the latest flashpoint in a continuing standoff between the treasury benches and the Opposition.
What Triggered the Walkout
The House had reassembled at noon following an earlier brief adjournment. Chairman Radhakrishnan allowed Question Hour to resume, but Opposition members immediately raised slogans — 'Grih Mantri Sadan Me Aao', 'Isteefa Do', and 'LOP ko bolne Do' — creating a sustained disturbance that drowned out proceedings. The Opposition's demands centred on discussions over the alleged July 20 police action against students in Delhi, as well as statements from the Prime Minister and Home Minister on the incident.
Power Minister's Inaudible Replies
Amid the din, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal attempted to respond to questions on reforms under the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2026. His responses were largely inaudible, lost in the continuous shouting from the Opposition benches.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Laxmi Verma from Chhattisgarh asked her maiden question in the House, seeking to know whether the government planned to set up a power plant anywhere in Chhattisgarh. She cited Baloda Bazar district — a major cement manufacturing hub — as an area requiring additional power support for industrial growth.
No Power Shortage, Says Minister
Minister Manohar Lal stated there was no power shortage anywhere in the country. He informed the House that India had successfully met its highest-ever peak demand of 270.8 GW and currently had an available generation capacity of 284 GW. The government, he added, was preparing to meet a projected peak demand of 300 GW in the coming year.
On Chhattisgarh specifically, the minister said the state faced no shortage, and that if any local issue related to project delays arose, the government would address it once brought to its notice. Each state, he noted, has its own power plans.
Continuing Parliamentary Standoff
Seeing no let-up in the disruptions despite repeated appeals, Chairman Radhakrishnan adjourned the House until 2 pm. The repeated interruptions prevented a smooth Question Hour and underscored the deepening impasse in Parliament over the Opposition's demand for accountability on the alleged July 20 police action on students in Delhi. The House was scheduled to reconvene in the afternoon for further business.
Point of View
Not a shouting match. Parliament's credibility takes the real hit when both sides treat the chamber as a stage rather than a forum.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Rajya Sabha adjourned on 10 August?
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm on 10 August because Opposition members disrupted Question Hour with sloganeering for the second time in the day, making proceedings inaudible. The Opposition was demanding discussion on the alleged July 20 police action against students in Delhi.
What did Power Minister Manohar Lal say about electricity supply?
Minister Manohar Lal stated that there is no power shortage anywhere in India. He told the House that India had met its highest-ever peak demand of 270.8 GW and currently has a generation capacity of 284 GW, with preparations underway to meet a projected 300 GW peak demand next year.
What slogans did the Opposition raise in the Rajya Sabha?
Opposition members raised slogans including 'Grih Mantri Sadan Me Aao', 'Isteefa Do', and 'LOP ko bolne Do', demanding that the Home Minister appear in the House, calling for his resignation, and seeking speaking time for the Leader of Opposition.
What was BJP member Laxmi Verma's maiden question about?
Laxmi Verma, a BJP member from Chhattisgarh, asked her maiden Rajya Sabha question seeking to know whether the government had plans to set up a power plant in Chhattisgarh. She cited Baloda Bazar district, a major cement manufacturing hub, as an area needing additional power for industrial growth.
What is the broader reason behind the Opposition's disruptions in Parliament?
The Opposition has been demanding discussions on the alleged July 20 police action against students in Delhi, as well as statements from the Prime Minister and Home Minister on the incident. The continuing standoff has led to repeated disruptions of parliamentary proceedings during the current session.
