The Lok Sabha faced disruptions and protests leading to two adjournments on Friday. The ongoing chaos in the Budget Session involved opposition members raising issues like the India-US trade deal and demands for Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s resignation over alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein. The House will resume proceedings on March 9 after a three-week break.
As the Lower House convened, opposition MPs gathered in the well of the House, demanding Hardeep Singh Puri’s resignation. Congress MP Ujjawal Raman Singh raised concerns about deaths linked to Codeine syrup, calling for compensation and a CBI inquiry. Union Minister J.P. Nadda refuted reports of deaths due to Codeine syrup consumption, dismissing the need for compensation or investigation.
During the session, opposition members persisted with slogans demanding Hardeep Singh Puri’s resignation, leading to the House’s adjournment till noon. Despite the officiating Speaker’s calls to return to their seats, the protests continued. The House later reconvened, conducted legislative business briefly, and adjourned till March 9.
Before the Lok Sabha proceedings, opposition members protested outside Parliament over the Epstein files. Allegations stemming from the Epstein files, including email exchanges involving Hardeep Singh Puri, were used by the opposition to criticize the government. Union Minister Hardeep Puri denied any association with Jeffrey Epstein and accused Rahul Gandhi of making baseless insinuations.
