Opposition erupts in Parliament as PM Modi hails Mahakumbh success in his address

The Lok Sabha descended into chaos on March 18 as Opposition MPs created an uproar following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address on the success of Mahakumbh 2025. The session, which resumed at 1 PM, saw Opposition members gathering near the Speaker’s chair, raising slogans against the central government and demanding the right to question the Modi’s remarks.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi lauded the administration and people of Prayagraj for making Mahakumbh 2025 a “global success.” However, his speech was immediately met with protests from the Opposition, who alleged they were not allowed to raise questions. Slogans of “Tanashahi band karo” echoed in the House, prompting the Speaker to repeatedly urge MPs to restore order. The ruckus eventually led to an adjournment until 1 PM.

Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, tensions flared over the alleged dilution of the MGNREGA scheme. Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, during Zero Hour, criticized the government’s handling of the rural employment program. The session was further marked by Opposition fury over the Election Commission’s alleged lapses, including the issuance of duplicate voter ID cards and concerns over the upcoming delimitation exercise. On March 17, frustrated by the rejection of their discussion requests, the Congress and TMC staged a walkout after Deputy Chairman Harivansh clarified that their statements would not be recorded.

Budget session highlights

The ongoing budget session has been marked by heated debates and disruptions. Before the Holi break, fiery discussions erupted over the Manipur budget and controversies surrounding the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Opposition also mounted protests demanding a debate on alleged voter ID manipulation. Tensions flared further after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s address, with the DMK accusing him of attempting to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu.

As parliament reconvenes, the focus expectedly remains on the contentious issues of electoral transparency, education policy, and governance — ensuring that the coming days will be no less turbulent.