Protests and Adjournments in Parliament: The Cost of Disrupted Democracy

In July 2025, India’s Parliament, comprising the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, faced repeated adjournments during the Monsoon Session due to opposition protests over issues like the Bihar voter list revision and the Pahalgam terror attack. These disruptions, centered in New Delhi, halted legislative proceedings, sparking debates on their impact. Protests aim to hold the government accountable but often paralyze democracy. By forcing adjournments, opposition MPs prioritize urgent issues, yet the loss of productive time undermines governance.

The Mechanics of Disruption

Adjournment motions, exclusive to the Lok Sabha, require 50 members’ support to pause regular business for urgent public issues, like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls. On July 22, 2025, both houses adjourned multiple times as opposition MPs raised slogans, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh citing decorum violations. Protests over Justice Yashwant Varma’s impeachment and Operation Sindoor further stalled proceedings, with no business transacted.

Impact on Parliamentary Proceedings

Adjournments waste valuable time. The 16th Lok Sabha (2014–2019) lost 16% of its scheduled hours, with Rajya Sabha losing 36%, per PRS Legislative Research. In 2025, disruptions delayed key legislation like the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, and budget discussions. Question Hour, crucial for accountability, was suspended, limiting MPs’ ability to address public concerns. The public loses faith when Parliament, meant to enact laws, becomes a protest stage.

Economic and Democratic Costs

Each parliamentary day costs Rs. 2.5 crore, with 2024’s Monsoon Session losing Rs. 50 crore to adjournments. Delayed bills, like those on agriculture or census preparations, hinder policy implementation, impacting India’s 1.4 billion citizens. Protests signal democratic vibrancy but, when excessive, erode trust, with 60% of Indians viewing disruptions negatively, per a 2024 YouGov survey. Opposition tactics, like Congress’s SIR protests, aim to censure the government but risk alienating voters seeking solutions.

A Call for Balance

Protests are a democratic right, but frequent adjournments stall governance. The Lok Sabha’s adjournment motion, a tool for urgent debates, must be used judiciously, as its censure element disrupts without mandating government resignation. As X’s #ParliamentSession trends show, citizens demand functionality over chaos. Leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and JP Nadda must negotiate to restore order, ensuring Parliament serves its purpose: legislating for India’s progress, not stalling it.

-By Manoj H