New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the long-debated G RAM G Bill amid protests from opposition parties, forcing the House to adjourn until tomorrow. Several opposition MPs staged a demonstration inside the Parliament complex, carrying photographs of Mahatma Gandhi and demanding the withdrawal of the bill.
The protest saw MPs marching from the Gandhi statue at Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar under a banner reading ‘Mahatma Gandhi NREGA’, raising slogans against the government. The demonstration highlighted opposition concerns over the legislation even as the House proceeded with the bill’s passage.
Attention now turns to the ongoing national crisis of air pollution, with a structured discussion scheduled for Thursday during the Winter Session. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav is expected to address the issue, which has been described by Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi as a “national health emergency.”
Rahul Gandhi highlighted the severity of the problem, pointing out that millions, particularly children, are developing lung diseases due to deteriorating air quality. He urged a bipartisan approach, emphasising that air pollution should not be politicised and called for a focused discussion on actionable solutions rather than blame.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded by assuring the House that the government is ready for the debate. He confirmed that the Business Advisory Committee would coordinate to allocate sufficient time for discussions on the environmental crisis.
The developments underline the balancing act in Parliament between passing key legislation and addressing pressing public health concerns, with opposition protests signalling ongoing political tensions over both governance and policy priorities.
