Amidst a vociferous uproar from opposition members in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the house, taking a dig at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge by remarking that he could "sit and shout slogans, given his age". The Prime Minister's comments came as he began his address, responding to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address.
The opposition's protests stemmed from a variety of grievances, including demands for a discussion on issues related to the unpublished memoir of former Army chief General MM Naravane, specifically concerning references to the 2020 India-China standoff. Furthermore, there were allegations that Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition, was not being allowed to speak in the Lower House. Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc raised slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre.
The disruptions in the Lok Sabha had led to the adjournment of the House and prompted speculation that the Prime Minister would forgo his reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks in the Lok Sabha, opting instead to respond in the Rajya Sabha, where proceedings had been less interrupted. The government reportedly aimed to ensure that the Motion of Thanks would be passed in both Houses on the same day, regardless of whether normal proceedings resumed in the Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minister spoke about Viksit Bharat, emphasizing that India should not look back or stop, but continue moving forward to achieve its goals. He highlighted India's economic strength, noting the combination of high growth and low inflation. PM Modi asserted that India is a leading voice of the Global South and has recently signed nine major trade deals. He also mentioned trade deals with the European Union and the United States.
The opposition's protests extended beyond the parliamentary chambers, with suspended MPs staging a demonstration near the Makar Dwar, holding placards and raising slogans against the government. These protests followed a meeting of opposition leaders at Mallikarjun Kharge's office to strategize their approach for the day.
Amidst the ongoing disruptions and counter-accusations, Union Minister JP Nadda criticized the opposition for stalling the Lok Sabha and asserted that its proceedings should not be debated in the Upper House. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also appealed to all MPs to adhere to parliamentary rules and traditions, urging decorum during the proceedings.