The winter session of India's Parliament opened on a contentious note on December 1, 2025, when Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury arrived with a rescued stray dog, igniting a political dogfight. Chowdhury's act sparked immediate backlash from some ruling party members, who accused her of staging a "tamasha" (theatrics).
Chowdhury explained that she found the puppy wandering near a road after witnessing a scooter-car collision on her way to Parliament. Concerned for the animal's safety, she brought it in her car, intending to take it to a veterinarian. "Is there any law? I was on my way. A scooter collided with a car. This little puppy was wandering on the road. I thought it would get hit by the wheel. So I picked it up, put it in the car, came to Parliament, and sent it back. The car left, and so did the dog," Chowdhury told ANI. The dog remained in the car and was taken away shortly after she arrived.
Chowdhury defended her actions and questioned the objections raised, stating that there is no law against rescuing a stray dog. She further took a jibe at the ruling party, asserting, "Those sitting inside bite, dogs don't". "The real ones who bite are sitting in Parliament. They run the government. We take care of a mute animal, and this has become a big issue and a topic of discussion. Does the government have nothing else to do? I sent the dog home and told them to keep it at home... We don't talk about those who sit in Parliament and bite us every day," she added.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal strongly criticized Chowdhury's actions, deeming it a violation of parliamentary protocol. He argued that bringing anyone, including animals, into Parliament without proper documentation is against the rules and demanded action against the Congress MP. "You are not serious about debating issues... you are making a joke of Parliament with such tamasha... She is a member of the House and should raise issues of public importance instead of indulging in such drama," Pal stated. He also suggested that Chowdhury should be held accountable by the Chairman of the House.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the decorum and seriousness of parliamentary proceedings. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala accused Chowdhury of insulting Parliament, its staff, and all MPs by comparing them to dogs.
The opening day of the winter session also saw protests from Opposition MPs demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across the country. Amidst the uproar and sloganeering, MP Sandhya Rai adjourned the Lok Sabha until 2 PM. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned until 2 PM following a discussion on the motion of felicitation of the new Rajya Sabha.
