Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm for third day as Opposition sloganeering disrupts Question Hour
Synopsis
For the third straight day, Opposition sloganeering has shut down Lok Sabha's Question Hour — the very mechanism meant to hold the government accountable. With bills being passed by voice vote amid protests and three separate controversies fuelling the deadlock, the Monsoon Session is shaping up as one of the most disrupted in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on 5 August 2026 — the third consecutive day of disruptions during the Monsoon Session .
Speaker Om Birla appealed for decorum before ordering the adjournment after Opposition sloganeering persisted during Question Hour .
Disruptions are centred on three issues: the NEET paper leak , police action at Jantar Mantar on 20 July , and the Ram Temple donation theft case .
The Appropriation (No.
3) Bill, 2026 was passed by voice vote on Tuesday amid protests; Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also introduced the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill .
On Monday , the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill was passed without discussion, raising the bench strength from 34 to 38 judges.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday, 5 August after Opposition members continued heavy sloganeering during the Question Hour — marking the third consecutive day of disruptions in the current week of the Monsoon Session. Speaker Om Birla urged members to maintain the dignity of the House and refrain from displaying posters, but the protests persisted, forcing the adjournment.
Trigger Behind the Disruptions
The Monsoon Session of Parliament has been repeatedly stalled over three flashpoint issues: the NEET paper leak controversy, the police action against Jantar Mantar protesters on 20 July, and the Ram Temple donation theft case. Opposition members have refused to let proceedings run smoothly until these concerns are addressed on the floor of the House.
Key Legislative Business Amid the Chaos
Despite the disruptions, the government has managed to push through significant legislative business. On Tuesday, the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 — authorising expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India for excess spending incurred during the financial year ended 31 March 2023 — was passed by a voice vote amid Opposition protests.
Also on Tuesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha for consideration. The Bill seeks to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026.
Supreme Court Judges Bill Passed on Monday
On Monday, the Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill without discussion, again amid persistent Opposition protests. The legislation replaces an ordinance promulgated in May 2026 and raises the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India — taking the total bench strength from 34 to 38. The move is aimed at addressing the growing pendency of cases and rising judicial workload.
Pattern of Deadlock
The Lower House was also adjourned for the day on Tuesday following an unresolved standoff between the treasury benches and the Opposition. This week's repeated adjournments underscore a deepening parliamentary deadlock that has effectively paralysed Question Hour — the primary constitutional mechanism for executive accountability — for three straight days. Notably, the government has continued to pass bills through voice votes even as the Opposition stages walkouts and protests, raising questions about the quality of legislative scrutiny.
Point of View
Passing the Appropriation Bill and the Supreme Court judges Bill by voice vote with minimal scrutiny. This pattern — disruption enabling legislative shortcuts — is not new to Indian parliamentary history, but its recurrence raises a structural concern: when both sides benefit from disorder, the institution pays the price. The NEET paper leak, in particular, is a legitimate public grievance that deserves floor debate, not sloganeering on one side and procedural manoeuvring on the other.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lok Sabha adjourned on 5 August 2026?
Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on 5 August 2026 because Opposition members continued heavy sloganeering during Question Hour, disrupting proceedings for the third straight day of the week. Speaker Om Birla's appeal for order went unheeded, prompting the adjournment.
What issues are driving the Opposition's protests in Parliament?
The Opposition has been protesting over three main issues: the NEET paper leak controversy, police action against protesters at Jantar Mantar on 20 July, and the Ram Temple donation theft case. Members have demanded discussion on these matters before allowing normal proceedings.
What bills were passed during the disruptions?
Despite the chaos, the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 was passed by voice vote on Tuesday, authorising expenditure from the Consolidated Fund for excess spending in the financial year ended 31 March 2023. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill was also passed on Monday without discussion.
What does the Supreme Court judges amendment do?
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 increases the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India, raising the total bench strength from 34 to 38. It replaces an ordinance promulgated in May 2026 and aims to address growing case pendency.
What is the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill introduced by Nirmala Sitharaman?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha on Tuesday for consideration. The Bill seeks to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026.
