Slogans As PM Modi Speaks In Parliament, Government Hits Back: 10 Points

PM Modi, in his traditional remarks before the start of the session, urged the opposition to ask tough questions but to allow government to answer them in the House.

Introducing the newly inducted ministers to the house, PM Modi had to abandon the exercise midway amid slogan shouting against price rise and farmer protests by the opposition. "Perhaps some people are not happy if country's women, OBCs, farmers' sons become Ministers. That is why they don't even allow their introduction," said the Prime Minister.

Criticising the opposition move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said such a thing was happening for the first time in his 24 years of parliamentary career. "The strength of Parliament is in maintaining healthy traditions. Both Opposition and Treasury should maintain healthy traditions. Even if one or 50 new ministers are inducted, the whole House listens to their introduction by the Prime Minister with decorum... This is sad, unfortunate and an unhealthy approach," said Mr Singh.

"We condemn the manner in which Opposition MPs behaved on the first day of the session today. We saw a very unfortunate situation, both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In Rajya Sabha, the address of the Chairman was interrupted too," said Piyush Goyal referring to the protests. Subsequently, both the houses were adjourned till afternoon.

PM Modi, addressing mediapersons outside Parliament, said the government wants pandemic to be discussed in the house on priority, adding that people who take the Covid vaccine become ''Baahubali'' in the fight against the disease. "The vaccine is given in ''baahu'' (arms), those who take the jab become ''Baahubali''.

A controversy erupted last night when it was revealed that phone numbers of Indian ministers, opposition leaders and journalists have been found on a database of targets for hacking that used Israeli spyware 'Pegasus' - only available to governments.

The allegations regarding government surveillance on specific people has no concrete basis or truth associated with it whatsoever, the centre has said refuting the Pegasus spyware controversy. The government will not back down from putting up a strong defense in the snooping scandal, sources have told NDTV.

"Our national security is under threat. I will definitely raise this issue (in the house)," Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was quoted saying by news agency ANI this morning.

The Trinamool has submitted six notices in both the houses to discuss petrol price hike, repeal of farm laws, vaccination solution, decline in economic growth, restoration of MPLAD funds and a weakening federal structure.

At yesterday's all-party meeting, PM Modi underscored that his government is ready for debate on any topic as per house rules, adding that talks must be constructive and positive.