In a day of high political drama, proceedings in the Lok Sabha were repeatedly derailed and eventually adjourned until Tuesday, following intense clashes between the Opposition and the ruling benches. The disruptions stemmed from two combustible issues: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to speak on the India-China border situation and a united opposition demand for a parliamentary discussion on the newly announced India-US trade deal.
The tension culminated in the suspension of eight opposition MPs for throwing papers toward the Chair and a complete breakdown of order, highlighting the deep fractures in India's Parliament.
The Core Confrontation: National Security vs. Parliamentary Rules
The flashpoint occurred when Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought to raise matters of "national security," specifically referencing the 2020 India-China standoff in Ladakh. Gandhi attempted to cite a magazine article based on excerpts from the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane.
This move was immediately challenged by senior ministers. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju objected, urging the Chair to intervene. They argued that Gandhi was citing unauthenticated sources, and Speaker Om Birla invoked parliamentary rules, directing Gandhi not to quote from the unreleased book.
Gandhi countered forcefully, stating, "I am the Leader of the Opposition... I have raised a national security issue... Why am I not allowed to speak?". He later alleged to reporters that he was being silenced because "Prime Minister Modi is scared" and "compromised".
The Second Flashpoint: Demands for Transparency on Trade Deal
Simultaneously, the opposition bloc mounted protests over the India-US trade agreement, the details of which were first announced publicly by US President Donald Trump. Opposition parties, led by the Congress, accused the government of bypassing Parliament and demanded that the full text of the deal be laid before both Houses for discussion.
Congress MP Randeep Surjewala alleged the deal would "betray Indian farmers" by potentially allowing American agricultural products into the Indian market at zero duty. This demand for transparency escalated into sloganeering and protests, which began as soon as the House convened and continued throughout the day, forcing repeated adjournments.
The Government's Stance and Escalating Tensions
The government firmly rejected the opposition's charges. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the disruptions, stating that "the time of several MPs is being wasted because of Rahul Gandhi". He argued that many Congress MPs wishing to contribute constructively were losing their opportunity due to the pandemonium.
In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House Jagat Prakash Nadda called the opposition "issueless" and accused them of deliberately creating disruptions to mislead the public. He assured the House that the government was prepared to give a detailed suo motu statement on the trade deal soon.
Here is a timeline of the day's major disruptions in the Lok Sabha:
Timeline of Lok Sabha Adjournments on Feb 3, 2026
section Morning Session
11:00 AM : House Convenes<br>Opposition MPs begin sloganeering
11:08 AM : First Adjournment<br>House adjourned till 12 PM
12:07 PM : House Reconvenes<br>Takes up motions for committee elections
12:19 PM : Second Adjournment<br>Adjourned till 2 PM
section Afternoon Session
2:10 PM : House Reconvenes<br>Rahul Gandhi begins speech,<br>presents authenticated article
2:14 PM : Uproar Intensifies<br>Gandhi questions why LoP is not<br>allowed to speak on China
2:14 PM : Third Adjournment<br>House adjourned till 3 PM
3:00 PM : Final Session<br>Uproar continues, papers thrown at Chair
3:10 PM : House Adjourned<br>Suspends 8 MPs, adjourns till 11 AM next day
Suspensions and a Stalemated House
As protests continued after the 3 PM reconvention, the situation reached a breaking point. Eight opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the session for throwing papers toward the Chair. With order unable to be restored, the Speaker adjourned the Lok Sabha until 11 AM on Tuesday, February 4.
The Rajya Sabha also faced a walkout by opposition members demanding a discussion on the trade deal, though its proceedings were comparatively less chaotic.
Here is a summary of the opposing narratives that led to the standoff:
| Aspect | Opposition's Position | Government's Position |
| Rahul Gandhi's Speech | Being prevented from raising vital national security issues; right of LoP to speak. | Violating parliamentary rules by citing unauthenticated, unpublished sources. |
| India-US Trade Deal | Government bypassing Parliament; deal lacks transparency and may harm farmers. | A historic achievement; details will be shared with House; opposition disrupting out of frustration. |
| Parliamentary Disruption | Protest is legitimate to demand accountability and discussion on critical issues. | Disruptions waste time, hinder legislative business, and deprive other MPs of a voice. |
The repeated adjournments mark a stormy start to a crucial Budget Session, where several key bills are slated for discussion. The government's promise of a detailed statement on the trade deal and the opposition's insistence on a full debate set the stage for continued confrontation. With both sides entrenched in their positions, the coming days will test whether Parliament can bridge its divisions and return to functional discourse, or remain paralyzed by political rivalry.
