Parliament budget session HIGHLIGHTS| Both houses adjourned; Lok Sabha fails to take up resolution seeking removal of Speaker

The second part of the Budget Session of Parliament begun today; External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed both Houses on the conflict in West Asia.

Summary

The second part of the Budget Session of Parliament will resume today, and is expected to witness a turbulent start. The Lok Sabha is set to first take up a debate on a Motion of Removal admitted against Speaker Om Birla.

The resolution has been listed in the names of Congress MPs Mohammad Jawed, K. Suresh and Mallu Ravi, and has been signed by 118 members of the Opposition.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will make a statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday on “The Situation in West Asia.” The announcement follows days of criticism from Opposition parties and several former Indian diplomats over what they described as the government’s “silence” on the ongoing conflict in the region.

A notice regarding the statement was added to the Lok Sabha’s list of business on Sunday evening (March 8). Jaishankar is expected to address the House shortly before the Lok Sabha begins discussion on the Opposition’s resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla.

Stage set for no-confidence motion debate against LS Speaker

The stage is set for stormy proceedings as the Lok Sabha prepares to take up an Opposition motion seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, with the second leg of the Budget Session resuming on Monday.

The rare move, the first in nearly four decades, marks the deepening rift between the Opposition and the ruling side. According to Monday’s agenda, the resolution against the Speaker is the sole item listed in the Lok Sabha’s business for the day.

"The government is likely to allocate around three hours to the discussion on the motion, with three members from the Treasury and Opposition Benches expected to participate," sources said.

READ FULL REPORT HERE.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm

Lok Sabha proceedings has been adjourned till 12 pm on the first day of Parliament on Monday. The House adjourned after paying tributes to a sitting member and four former members who passed away recently.

Jaishankar begins speech in Rajya Sabha

Opposition resorts to sloganeering

Leader of Opposition in Kharge tried to raise the death of Indian nationals in the region during the conflict. The Treasury Bench protested his speech.

Amid opposition's sloganeering Jaishankar begins speech.

LoP in the Rajya Sabha and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, right, speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, March 9, 2026. Photo |PTI

'Developments in West Asia are a matter of deep concern', says S Jaishankar

Addressing the Rajya Sabha regarding the conflict in the Middle East, S Jaishankar said that developments in West Asia are a matter of deep concern for all of us. “We continue to believe that dialogue and discussion should be the way to resolve all issues,” he said. He added that the Prime Minister continues to closely monitor the situation in the region.

The Minister reiterated the government's stance that dialogue and diplomacy are the ways forward for all sides to de-escalate.

"Our government had issued a statement on February 20 expressing deep concerns and urging all sides to exercise restraint. We continue to believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate the tensions," he said.

VIDEO | Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) addresses the Rajya Sabha on the West Asia conflict, saying, “Minister, I rise to apprise this house, this August house, of recent developments in West Asia that are a cause of deep concern to all of us. As… pic.twitter.com/Bb1VJ8brWL

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 9, 2026

Govt in touch with Indians in conflict-hit regions, says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the government is in constant touch with Indians in the Gulf and that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is fully operational, assisting stranded students amid the ongoing conflict. He told Rajya Sabha that the embassy has already helped relocate several students to safer areas, while efforts are also underway to assist Indians stranded in countries such as Qatar and Jordan and bring them back safely.

India constantly warned nationals in Iran before conflict: Jaishankar

“Government has been assessing the situation in West Asia since the 12-day war in June 2025. We noted the indications of growing tensions and cautioned the Indian community in Iran accordingly,” he said.

He said tht India has warned residents in Iran in January 2026 to avoid non-essential travel to Iran. Residents were asked to register with the Indian Embassy and exercise due caution and monitor the Embassy’s website and social media handles.

Indian Embassy in Tehran issued another advisory on February 14, 2026, urging Indian nationals to leave Iran by all available means of transport. Embassies provided assistance for such travel. Another advisory on February 23, 2026, reiterated the same,  Jaishankar said. 

Oppn stages walkout during Jaishankar’s statement on West Asia conflict

The Opposition staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Monday amid loud protests and sloganeering while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was delivering a statement on the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the government’s efforts to assist Indian nationals in the region.

Speaking in the House, Jaishankar said that once the conflict escalated, the Indian Embassy in Tehran had facilitated the relocation of Indian students from Tehran to safer locations outside the city.

He added that similar assistance had been extended to Indian pilgrims and businesspersons stranded in the region.

According to the minister, several Indian businesspeople were helped in crossing into Armenia before being brought back to India. He also noted that Indian embassies across the region had issued advisories and taken measures to ensure the safety of Indian citizens.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to intervene while the minister was speaking, prompting the Chairman to ask members to allow Jaishankar to complete his remarks.

Despite the Chair’s appeal, the protests persisted. Eventually, Opposition members walked out of the House, after which the sloganeering subsided and the minister continued his statement, listing the evacuation flights and border-crossing arrangements made for Indians in the affected areas.

Reacting to the walkout, J. P. Nadda slammed the Opposition’s conduct, calling it “utterly irresponsible.” He accused Opposition parties of leaving the House at the moment when the government was responding to their concerns.

“The Opposition is behaving irresponsibly, they are walking out when it is our turn to answer,” Nadda said.

10-hour discussion on motion seeking Speaker Om Birla's removal

The Lok Sabha will hold a 10-hour discussion beginning Tuesday on a motion seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will initiate the debate on the resolution.

The debate will be spread over two days, with five hours scheduled for discussion on the first day and the remaining five hours on the second day.

Iran thanked India for letting IRIS Lavan dock in Kochi, says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha during a briefing on the Iran war that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had thanked India for granting refuge to the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan at Kochi port. This comes after US sank the IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka, killing 87 people.

Jaishankar concludes RS speech; lists three guiding factors for India’s approach

External Affairs Minister outlined three key guiding factors shaping India’s approach to the ongoing regional issue, emphasizing peace, the safety of Indian citizens, and the protection of national interests.

Concluding his remarks, Jaishankar said India supports efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability. He stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, calling for de-escalation, restraint, and measures to ensure the safety of civilians.

He added that the wellbeing and security of the Indian community in the region remain a top priority, noting that India will continue to work closely with governments in the region to safeguard its citizens.

Highlighting economic concerns, he said India’s national interests would always remain paramount. He noted that ensuring energy security and protecting trade are key considerations, with the interests of Indian consumers serving as the “overriding priority” in the government’s approach.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses Rajya Sabha on West Asia conflict.Photo |PTI

Lok Sabha proceedings begin

The House praised India's T20 victory yesterday, as soon as the House reconvened at 12 pm.  BJP MP Jagdambika Pal is on the Chair.

Opposition protests as Speaker rejects discussion notices in Lok Sabha

Opposition members urged the Chair to admit discussions on issues raised under various rules, but Speaker Pal rejected the requests. This led to a heated exchange between him and Asaduddin Owaisi, as the Opposition pressed for a debate.

Amid the uproar, he proceeded with the scheduled agenda and called for Papers to be laid on the table, while Opposition members continued their loud protests.

Jaishankar makes his statement on West Asia war in Lok Sabha

Opposition MPs stage protest in Parliament complex

Opposition MPs, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, staged a protest in Parliament House complex on Monday, demanding a discussion on the West Asia conflict and slamming the government for its "silence" on critical issues related to it.

READ FULL REPORT HERE.

Opposition not following basic ethics of the House: Kiren Rijiju 

Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition members of disrupting the House proceedings.

“I have never seen such irresponsible Opposition in my lifetime. They don't follow basic ethics of the House,” said Rijuju.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm amid opposition protests

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 3 pm on Monday amid noisy protests over demand for a debate on the situation in West Asia, with the government accusing the opposition benches of not following basic ethics of the House.

As soon as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar rose to make a statement on the "situation in West Asia", opposition members started raising slogans against the government and demanding a full fledged discussion on the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

Jagadambika Pal, who was chairing the proceedings, said the questions being raised by the Opposition through their placards were being elaborately answered by the government.

He said while a resolution to remove Om Birla as the Lok Sabha Speaker is already on the agenda, the Opposition was pushing for a notice for adjournment of the proceedings to discuss West Asia.

He wondered how the opposition wants to discuss the two issues on the same day. He, then adjourned the proceedings till 3 pm.

 Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Rajya Sabha resumes; discussion on Environment Ministry underway

The Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings with Deputy Chairman presiding over the House. Members are currently discussing the functioning of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Ghanshyam Tiwari, BJP MP, opened the discussion and noted the apparent absence of Opposition members during the debate.

Lok Sabha adjourned

There was no let-up in protests by Opposition members in the Lok Sabha, who continued to demand a discussion on the ongoing West Asia war.

Presiding over the House,Jagdambika Palquestioned why the Opposition had moved a motion against Speaker Om Birla if they were seeking a discussion on the issue. He said that if members wanted a debate, they should move a motion in accordance with the rules.

Pal assured the Opposition that they would get an opportunity to speak, but insisted that the House must proceed with the listed agenda. He also pointed out that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had already made a statement on the matter.

Calling the protests “irresponsible and immature behaviour”, Mr. Pal said the Opposition did not want the House to function. “You don’t want the House to proceed; I want the House to proceed, but you don’t. The country is watching,” he said, adding that the disruption was a waste of public money.

As the Opposition members continued their protest the House was adjourned till 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Swati Maliwal raises Delhi air pollution concerns in Rajya Sabha

Swati Maliwal, MP from the Aam Aadmi Party, raised concerns over worsening air pollution in Delhi while speaking during the discussion on the functioning of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Rajya Sabha.

Maliwal cited health data to highlight the severity of the crisis. “Today, health experts say leave Delhi if you can. Fifteen per cent of all deaths in Delhi in 2023 were directly linked to air pollution. Around 22 lakh children in the city have their lungs permanently and irreversibly damaged. These aren’t merely numbers,” she said.

She also pointed out that the national capital did not record even a single day of “good air quality” in 2025, calling the situation “not just a public health emergency but an ongoing fraud against the people of Delhi”.

Referring to vehicular emissions, Maliwal said public transport in the city needs urgent strengthening, noting that Delhi currently has only about 5,000 buses.