The Monsoon Session of Parliament is drawing to a close today, August 21, 2025, after weeks marked by disruptions and protests. A key event today is the filing of nomination by the opposition INDIA bloc's Vice Presidential candidate, Justice B. Sudershan Reddy.
Nomination of Justice B. Sudershan Reddy
Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, is the joint opposition candidate for the Vice-Presidential election. He is set to file his nomination today. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has described the election for the country's second-highest Constitutional office as an "ideological battle". The Vice President will be elected by the Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members. Polling is scheduled for September 9. Justice Reddy will be contesting against NDA's candidate, C.P. Radhakrishnan, the current Governor of Maharashtra and a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu.
Justice Reddy, born on July 8, 1946, entered the legal profession in December 1971 and has had a long association with the Constitution. He served as a Government Pleader in the High Court from 1988 to 1990, and briefly as an Additional Standing Counsel for the central government in 1990. He was appointed as a High Court judge in 1995 and became the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court in 2005.
Parliamentary Proceedings and Disruptions
The final day of the Monsoon session also includes a special discussion to honor Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his space travel and to focus on the "critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047".
However, the session has been fraught with challenges. Opposition MPs have been protesting over the Bihar SIR row and allegations of "vote chori". On Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha, including the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to remove individuals holding the office of Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister if they are charged with serious offenses and detained for at least 30 days. This move triggered strong opposition, with MPs tearing up copies of the bills and shouting slogans, alleging that the bills undermine federalism, due process, and constitutional principles. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, expressed his disapproval of the opposition's behavior, stating that it lowered the dignity of the House.
The Lok Sabha has been adjourned multiple times due to the uproar. The bills introduced by Amit Shah are to be referred to a Joint Committee of the Houses.
Key Bills and Legislation
Despite the disruptions, the Lok Sabha has passed important legislation during this Monsoon session. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed amid opposition protests. The bill aims to regulate the online gaming sector, including e-sports and social gaming, and proposes stricter oversight of gaming platforms. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has described online money gaming as a menace worse than drugs, highlighting the potential for addiction and financial ruin.
Other bills introduced by Amit Shah include the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Rajya Sabha has also passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, which seeks to replace the colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856.
