The Monsoon Session of the Indian Parliament began on 21st July and is scheduled to run until 21st August, spanning a total of 32 days. Within this period, Parliament is supposed to convene 21 times. However, rather than beginning with productive discussions or meaningful debates, the very first day was consumed entirely by disruption caused by opposition parties. This uproar led to a complete shutdown of proceedings on day one.

The day started with interference during the Question Hour, a crucial time when the government is held accountable through direct questioning. As a result, Lok Sabha was first suspended until 12 PM, and later again until 2 PM, due to the unending disorder. Unfortunately, such disruptions have become a familiar sight in India’s parliamentary functioning. MPs across different parties and states are often involved in such disruptions, turning this once-exceptional behavior into a predictable routine.

What is particularly alarming is the pattern of stalling Parliament for an entire day, even when there has been prior agreement in earlier all-party meetings to conduct business smoothly. This deliberate blockage of the session has now become almost expected. It’s as if, before each session begins, the air is thick with the expectation that some controversy or report will emerge just in time to trigger protests and bring the House to a halt.

The Real Cost of Chaos: Ceasing Parliament Proceedings Wastes Crores

The chaotic first day of the Monsoon Session has raised serious concerns. Scheduled for 32 days with 21 working days, each session of Parliament is ideally supposed to run for 6 hours per day. While the actual time might vary, even this base schedule translates into a massive financial commitment.

These operations don’t come cheap. They are funded by public money, collected through various taxes from the citizens. Years ago, PDT Acharya, the former Lok Sabha Secretary General, revealed that "running Parliament for just one minute costs Rs 2.5 lakh." This cost includes MP salaries, electricity, water, security, and other operational expenses.

Considering inflation and increased administrative costs, the real expenditure today is likely higher. But even if we continue using the Rs 2.5 lakh per minute estimate, the numbers become staggering. Over 21 days, if each day includes 6 hours of session, the total comes to 126 hours. That equals 7,560 minutes, which at Rs 2.5 lakh per minute, brings the projected expenditure for the session to a whopping Rs 189 crore.

This amount doesn’t even include extra allowances like the Rs 2,500 daily attendance fee paid to each lawmaker. With such rising expenses, there is no argument against investing in the world’s largest democracy. However, the way this session has started—filled with noise instead of dialogue—raises doubts about whether this money is being used meaningfully.

Before the session began, the government had clearly stated that it was "open to discussions on all matters, including Operation Sindoor," during the all-party meeting. The opposition, on its part, demanded a debate on the Election Commission’s revision process in Bihar and the recent Air India tragedy. The government had agreed to these topics as well.

Yet, despite this mutual understanding, the first day saw no constructive conversation—only placards, shouting, and adjournments. It has led to widespread concern that public expectations have been betrayed once again, and nearly ₹200 crores of public money may be reduced to nothing but slogans and confusion instead of legislative progress.

Disruptions Are Not New: A Pattern of Parliament Paralysis

This isn’t the first time Parliament has been pushed toward chaos even before its sessions have properly begun. The opposition had already selected its targets for this monsoon session—the Election Commission’s activities in Bihar, ‘Operation Sindoor’, and even remarks made by former U.S. President Donald Trump—as major issues to raise in the House. Yet, what unfolded followed a now-familiar pattern: a planned strategy to stall proceedings entirely.

Over the past few years, similar pre-written scripts have been used to sabotage Parliament during previous sessions. From raising unproven claims of government surveillance using Pegasus spyware, to controversies surrounding the Rafale aircraft deal, and the Hindenburg report on the Adani Group, the list of disruptions has been long and repetitive.

A notable example came during the Budget Session in 2023, when the opposition, particularly the Congress party, used the now widely discredited Hindenburg report as a political weapon against the Adani Group. "The Congress and the opposition brought up the bogus Hindenburg report against the Adani Group, which resulted in disrupting the entire session, during the Budget Session 2023."

Similarly, the opposition stirred unrest over a BBC propaganda documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Just before the Winter Session of 2023, a commotion was generated regarding iPhone alerts that allegedly indicated surveillance. "They also caused a row regarding the iPhone notification, before the winter session of 2023. However, the company provided a clarification before the matter could escalate."

Going back further, just before the Monsoon Session in 2021, a story alleging the government’s involvement in Pegasus spyware surveillance captured headlines. Although later debunked, it led to widespread disruption. "An unrest was generated over the Pegasus story with accusations that the government was involved in surveillance activities, in advance of the monsoon session in 2021. This story was later found to be false, yet it disrupted the Parliament session. Consequently, billions of rupees of public money were wasted."

In 2021, Rahul Gandhi made serious allegations about a Rafale aircraft scam, citing foreign media reports. However, these claims failed to hold ground in both Parliament and the Supreme Court. Yet again, the time intended for national progress was lost in political theatrics. "The sessions of Parliament throughout 2021 were rife by considerable uproar. However, the groundless allegations could not withstand scrutiny in either Parliament or the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, the time in Parliament continued to be wasted."

What’s most worrying is that this repeated pattern of uproar eats into precious parliamentary time that should have been used to debate new laws, amend outdated legislation, and raise public interest issues. Instead, the opposition has time and again opted for placard-waving and slogans, pushing Parliament into repeated deadlock. "Consequently, the opposition frequently created a condition of gridlock, intending to completely halt the parliamentary proceedings as much as possible."

Why This Disruptive Trend Is a Serious Concern

The smooth running of Parliament is a shared duty of both the ruling party and the opposition. When this balance breaks down, it creates a vacuum where other sectors of governance gain disproportionate control. This creeping influence is not just a matter of theory—it is already visible in hard numbers.

According to a report, the first Lok Sabha (1952–57) held 135 sessions per year. In contrast, the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–24) met for only 55 days a year. "A report showcased that the first Lok Sabha (1952-57) convened for 135 days each year, whereas the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24) met for merely 55 days."

What’s worse, a large portion of the limited time available in the 17th Lok Sabha was eaten up by disturbances and chaos. "The fact that chaos and disturbances dominated the 17th Lok Sabha for around half of the session is much more concerning." This not only wastes taxpayer money, but also prevents key bills from being discussed, delaying governance that affects millions of Indians.

To uphold democracy and regain public trust, the opposition must reconsider its strategy. Instead of creating noise, it should focus on engaging the government with strong, evidence-based arguments inside Parliament. "Hence, instead of merely creating chaos, the opposition should formulate a strategy to engage the government in Parliament based on logical arguments and evidence rather than halting the proceedings."

Only then can Parliament return to its role as a space for healthy debate, transparency, and policy-making, ensuring that public funds are used responsibly, and that the world’s largest democracy functions with dignity and purpose. "This would not only bolster public confidence but also reinforce the country’s democracy and prevent the wastage of government funds."