Lok Sabha stalled for 4th day as standoff persists

Ruling party MPs continued to stall the Lok Sabha for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday by demanding Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's apology. The Opposition added to the pandemonium demanding a JPC probe into the Adani-Hindenburg issue. After customary appeal for normalcy, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.

As the 'treasury protest' dominated the House, MPs of about 16 Opposition parties from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha formed a 'human chain' for about 15 minutes outside Parliament, raising slogans demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue. The Opposition has also sought an appointment with the President on the issue, even as a proposal for holding a 'mock parliament' in Parliament's vicinity was mooted.

"There have been many JPCs in the past and it is very important that the government agrees for a JPC probe... A Supreme Court-monitored probe cannot look into all aspects of the issue, which only a JPC can effectively investigate," Congress' Digvijaya Singh said at the protest site. Gandhi was present when the Lok Sabha reassembled and the same protests played out again leading to the adjournment for the day.