Budget Session HIGHLIGHTS | 'Are you not ashamed of selling India?': Rahul Gandhi slams govt on US trade deal

Participating in the debate on the Union Budget, Rahul Gandhi dubbed the India-US interim trade agreement as one-sided, which has hurt the interests of the farmers.

Congress MP raises concern over social media impact on mental health of adolescents

Congress's Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather Hisham on Wednesday expressed concern over the rising mental health crisis among adolescents due to social media, saying the "youth are not able to identify the reality and the fantasy world".

Referring to the recent alleged suicide of a 16-year-old girl in Kerala, the MP said the teen's teachers shared concerns about how social media is influencing youth and adolescents.

"They share the concern that the children, these adolescents, youth are not able to identify the reality and the fantasy world. They'll create a virtual world, influenced by social media, and especially they share the concern of this Korean content, online games, and pop that is available in the country now," Hisham said.

DMK member urges govt to grant constitutional status to Minorities Commission

Rajya Sabha DMK member P Wilson on Wednesday asked the government to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Minorities, strengthen its investigative and enforcement powers to protect the interest of minority communities.

"In recent years, India has witnessed a disturbing escalation in targeted violence against minority communities. Mob lynching, attacks on pastors, priests, the systematic vandalism of churches and mosques," he said, and cited data in support of his argument.

Since 2020, he said nearly 400 cases have been registered under anti-conversion laws leading to the arrest of 1,200 individuals.

"They strike at the very heart of a constitutional promise of equality, secularism, and religious freedom. And at a time when minorities need institutional protection the most, the National Commission for Minorities, the body meant to act as a sentinel of justice, has been reduced to an empty office building," he said.

Industrial Code Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha

Union Labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday introduced the 'Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 through supplementary agenda soon after the Question Hour.

According to statement of objects and reasons of the proposed law, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 replaces the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, relating to trade unions, industrial employment and industrial disputes.

It contains savings provisions under section 104 to ensure continuity and legal certainty.

"Though the repeal has occurred by operation of section 104 of the Code itself, there is a possibility of future confusion being created on a misconceived ground that the Act delegates the power to repeal the said enactments to the executive," it explained.

The provisions of section 104 and a February 2026 notification are clear that the repeal has occurred by the operation of section 104 of the Code itself, "it is considered desirable to introduce the proposed amendment to avoid any future unwarranted complication," it noted.

'PM Modi surrendered the future of Indians to protect BJP's financial structure,' alleges Rahul Gandhi 

Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of surrendering the future of Indians through the India-US trade deal.

"PM Modi 'surrendered' future of Indians because he wanted to protect the BJP's financial architecture," Rahul alleged.

Saying that if the INDIA bloc was in power, it would have told Trump "we will protect our farmers."

Alleging that energy security has been compromised under the trade deal, Gandhi said, "Our energy security has been handed over to US under trade deal; this is a wholesale surrender."

"We would have told Trump 'our energy security is our energy security and we are going to protect it'," he added.

'Are you not ashamed of selling India?': Rahul Gandhi slams India-US trade deal in Lok Sabha

Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the during discussion on Budget, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the government of selling 'Bharat Mata' and dubbed the India-US interim trade agreement as one-sided, which has hurt the interests of the farmers.

Participating in the debate, he said, "You have sold India."

"Are you not ashamed of selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata," he said while referring to the trade agreement.

He said the interests of the farmers have been compromised as agricultural products from the US will flood Indian markets.

"For first time in history our farmers are facing a storm; you've opened door to crush poor farmers, no PM has ever done this," Rahul said.

He also alleged that the Indian textile industry is "finished".

Rajya Sabha adjourned for lunch; to reconvene at 2 pm

Notice for Birla's removal will be listed after start of second phase of Budget session from March 9

Speaker directs secretariat to amend defective notice by oppn to prevent it from being rejected, orders prompt action: LS sources

Om Birla has reportedly directed the Lok Sabha secretariat to get the defective notice amended and take action on it.

"Birla ordered prompt action as per the rules," a functionary said.

Sources said upon receipt of the revised notice, a speedy review will be conducted as per the rules.

Flaws found in notice submitted by opposition MPs to remove Om Birla as Lok Sabha speaker: LS sources

"Flaws" have been found in the notice submitted by opposition MPs to remove the Lok Sabha speaker from office, with Om Birla directing the secretariat to amend the "defective" notice to prevent it from being rejected, Lok Sabha sources said on Wednesday.

As many as 118 opposition MPs had signed the notice submitted to Lok Sabha secretary general Utpal Kumar Singh on Tuesday afternoon.

Later in the day, the opposition withdrew the notice and replaced it with another one correcting the date.

Lok Sabha sources said four instances of wrong date being mentioned were found, which could have led to the notice being dismissed under the rules.

Delhi Police issues notice to Penguin Random House India over ex-Army chief's book

The Delhi Police's Special Cell has issued a notice to Penguin Random House India seeking clarifications over the circulation of the unpublished book of former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on social media, an official said on Wednesday.

The notice was served as competing claims over the status of the book and the alleged circulation of unauthorised versions intensified, drawing the publisher, the former Army chief and senior political figures into a widening public dispute.

According to police, the Special Cell has formally approached the publishing house through the notice, posing multiple queries and seeking detailed responses.

Opposition members shout slogans, walk out of LS

Opposition members on Wednesday walked out of the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour while shouting slogans.

The members shouted "we want justice" the moment the House took up Question Hour.

P C Mohan, who was chairing the proceedings of the House, continued with the Question Hour despite the din.

Around 11.30 am, the opposition members staged a walkout.

Rahul Gandhi to address Lok Sabha at 12

Question Hour in progress in both Houses

Summary

After days of disruptions and protests in the Parliament over the Speaker's refusal to let Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi speak in Lok Sabha, the Congress leader on Wednesday addressed the House and participated in a discussion on the Union Budget.

Speaking on the India-US trade deal, Rahul Gandhi hit out at the BJP-led government and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of surrendering to President Donald Trump under pressure.

Gandhi's address to the Lok Sabha came a day after the Opposition submitted a notice for removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of "abuse of office" over the refusal to let the Congress leader speak in the House.

The notice for the motion was submitted to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh by Congress chief whip Suresh Kodikunnil and Mohammad Jawed.

Parliament has seen repeated disruptions since February 2, with Opposition members protesting several issues. These include the Chair’s decision to bar Gandhi from quoting an article that referred to an unpublished memoir by former Army chief MM Naravane on the 2020 India-China border clash.

The Speaker also accused some Congress MPs of plotting an "unforeseen act" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering opposition outrage.

Last week, the Speaker suspended seven Congress MPs and one CPI(M) member, for the remainder of the session, amid continuous protests in the House.