Opposition stages walkout in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: Opposition parties on Monday staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after the Chair disallowed their attempts to raise issues like alleged theft of Ram temple donations and the use of pellet guns against protesters, even as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, in the House for discussion.

The Opposition has been demanding the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to respond on the alleged use of pellet guns against students and other protesters during the July 20 march by students, besides seeking accountability over the alleged theft or misappropriation of donations at the Ram temple.

After facing disruptions in the morning, as the Rajya Sabha met at 2 pm, Deputy Chairman Harivansh almost immediately adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House reassembled at 2.15 pm, Sitharaman tabled the Bill, which seeks to replace a colonial-era legislation.


Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought to raise certain issues; however, the Chair maintained that MPs should speak only on the Bill.

Amid continuing ruckus, the Chair called TMC member Nadimul Haque to speak. Haque sought to raise what he described as a "very serious incident" that had taken place on Sunday.

However, the Chair asked Haque to speak on the Bill under consideration and did not allow him to raise the issue. BJP member Arun Singh was then called to speak.

The Opposition subsequently staged a walkout.

The confrontation came as the Rajya Sabha took up the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, which seeks to repeal and replace the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891, and bring the legal framework governing bank records in line with the digital transformation of the banking sector.

The Bill was later passed through voice vote following a brief discussion.

While replying to the debate, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it was sad that the Opposition chose to walk out on the Bill, which is aimed at reforms.

"These are the kind of bills in which the Opposition should take part. These are very informative...These are going to help the country to move forward fast, and they are steps on which no one can have a difference of opinion, except if they want to suggest improvements," she said.

"It is such a sad state that the Opposition chooses to walk out on such debates," Sitharaman said.

The Bill expands the scope of bankers' books to cover electronic, digital, virtual and other forms of records, allowing such records to be used as evidence in legal proceedings. The legislation is intended to replace the 135-year-old law, which was enacted when banking records were maintained primarily in physical form.