Lok Sabha Adjourned After Heated Protest; Kamal Haasan Delivers First Rajya Sabha Address
Updated (2 articles)
Adjournment of Lok Sabha and Immediate Schedule The lower house was suspended by Speaker Om Birla after opposition members shouted and disrupted the Motion of Thanks to the President’s speech, with proceedings halted until Thursday 11 a.m. and set to resume on 5 February 2026 [1].
Kamal Haasan’s Maiden Rajya Sabha Speech Highlights Electoral Roll Concerns Actor‑politician Kamal Haasan, newly elected Makkal Needhi Maiam MP, warned that delays in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls could erode voter confidence and urged immediate government action, linking the issue to constitutional promises for a union of states [1].
Opposition Leaders Demand Apology and Cite Grievances Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a prime‑ministerial apology for remarks insulting Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, while enumerating grievances on social justice, farmer distress, and foreign‑policy shortfalls; Leader of the House J.P. Nadda defended the President’s address, accused Congress of repeating falsehoods, and praised the roadmap for a “Viksit Bharat” [1].
Government Ministers Emphasize Trade Deal Safeguards and Regional Issues Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted safeguards in the India‑U.S. trade deal for agriculture, dairy, data centres, renewable energy and aviation, noting that U.S. tariffs on Indian goods were cut to 18 % after a Feb 2 call between PM Modi and President Trump; regional MPs raised constituency concerns ranging from Tamil Nadu fisherfolk and Katchatheevu to Hyderabad water‑tankering, a new AIIMS in Kerala, and dairy‑cooperative support in Nanded [1].
Timeline
Dec 2025 – Rajya Sabha resumes at 11 a.m. with Vice‑President C.P. Radhakrishnan presiding as papers, statements and reports are laid on the table, while the Lok Sabha is adjourned sine die amid opposition protests over the VB‑G Ram G Bill and the playing of “Vande Mataram” in the House [2].
Feb 2, 2026 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a call with U.S. President Donald Trump, after which U.S. tariffs on Indian goods are cut to 18 % as part of the India‑U.S. trade deal [1].
Feb 4, 2026 – Lok Sabha is suspended until Thursday 5 Feb 2026 11 a.m. after heated protests disrupt the Motion of Thanks to the President’s speech; Speaker Om Birla adjourns the lower house until the following morning [1].
Feb 4, 2026 – Actor‑politician Kamal Haasan delivers his maiden Rajya Sabha address, warning that delays in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls could erode voter confidence and urging immediate government action to uphold constitutional promises for a union of states [1].
Feb 4, 2026 – Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge demands a prime‑ministerial apology for remarks insulting Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, condemning the comments and listing grievances on social justice, farmer distress and foreign‑policy shortfalls during the vote‑of‑thanks debate [1].
Feb 4, 2026 – Leader of the House J.P. Nadda defends the President’s address, attacks the Congress for “Goebbels’s theory of propaganda,” calls for expunging references to the Lok Sabha and praises the speech’s blend of tradition with a roadmap for a “Viksit Bharat” [1].
Feb 4, 2026 – Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlights safeguards in the India‑U.S. trade deal, noting protection for agriculture and dairy, and projected boosts to data centres, renewable energy and aviation sectors [1].
Feb 4, 2026 – Regional MPs raise constituency concerns: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva urges action on Tamil Nadu fisherfolk and Katchatheevu; BRS MP Partahsaradhi Reddy flags Hyderabad’s water‑tankering crisis; Kerala MP Jebi Mather Hisham demands an AIIMS; Maharashtra MP Ashokrao Chavan seeks dairy‑cooperative support for Nanded [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – Lok Sabha is slated to reconvene at 11 a.m. following the suspension, with members expected to resume debate on pending legislative business [1].