The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated exchange on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, between Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Deputy Chairman Harivansh over allegations that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel had entered the well of the House during opposition protests last week. Kharge asserted that this action infringed upon the members' "democratic right to protest," a claim strongly refuted by the Chair and the treasury benches, who maintained that only Parliament's marshals were present.

Kharge's initial remark about CISF personnel prompted a sharp response from the ruling party. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Kharge of "misleading" the House and presenting "wrong facts". Rijiju asserted that the government had assigned CISF personnel as marshals to maintain order during protests and disturbances within the House. He further clarified that only marshals and authorized staff are permitted inside the chamber and that no external security force is allowed. According to sources, CISF personnel were authorized to enter and serve as marshals under the House secretariats.

Kharge, in a letter to the Deputy Chairman, expressed his shock and astonishment at the manner in which CISF personnel were deployed in the well of the House while members were "exercising their democratic right to protest". He deemed the situation "most objectionable" and stressed that Parliament staff is empowered enough to handle the security. He referenced past instances where BJP leaders like Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj defended disruptions as part of a vibrant democratic process.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh addressed Kharge's letter, expressing his unhappiness that Kharge had made the letter public. He clarified that since 1930, only Parliament's security staff has been deployed to safeguard members. He emphasized that dissent is a democratic right but must be exercised from one's seat and not from the well of the House. He cited precedents from 1978, 1988, and 2008, where similar conduct was termed "contempt," "disgusting," and "deplorable".

Rijiju sought clarification from the Chair regarding actions against the Leader of Opposition for making false claims. He stated that only marshals can enter the House and that Kharge was presenting misleading information. Outside the House, Rijiju reiterated that CISF personnel have been assigned the job of marshals.

BJP chief JP Nadda criticized the opposition, offering them "tuition" and accusing them of lacking the capacity to hear the truth. He said that the ruling was a historic reference point.

The controversy arose after the CISF replaced 150 personnel from the Delhi Police, including 54 women, who had been securing the Parliament complex since May 1, 2024. The CISF took over from the Parliament Security Service, which was formed in 1929. The Opposition views the deployment of CISF personnel as marshals as a breach of Parliament's autonomy, as it allows individuals other than Parliament security personnel to control MPs inside the chamber.