On the final day of the Monsoon Session, Lok Sabha proceedings began with the playing of Vande Mataram on Thursday, marking a first for Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and other members of the House were present.
After six stanzas of the National Song were played, the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, formally bringing the session to an end.
The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned sine die after the National Song was played.
The development came days after President Droupadi Murmu approved legislation granting legal protection to Vande Mataram.
Under the new law, deliberately disrupting or preventing the singing of the National Song has been made a punishable offence, giving it a legal status similar to that of the National Anthem.
The government had earlier laid down protocols for singing the National Song at official events.
In an order issued on January 28, the Union Home Ministry prescribed that six stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung on occasions including the President’s arrival, the unfurling of the Tricolour and addresses by governors.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die amid repeated disruptions and heated confrontations between the government and Opposition.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also did not deliver his customary valedictory address, in which he generally outlines the House’s performance and productivity during the session.
Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, proceedings have repeatedly been disrupted over issues including the alleged police crackdown on students protesting during the NEET paper leak agitation and the Ram Mandir donation theft case.
On Wednesday, Home Minister Amit Shah had said he was prepared to participate in a debate and respond to the Opposition’s questions. He had also asked the Speaker to consult Opposition parties and set aside time to discuss the students’ issue.
Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans against the government on the final day of the session.
The political divide was also visible outside the chambers, with the BJP and Opposition staging rival protests at Makar Dwar in the Parliament complex.
The BJP demonstrated against Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress of not acknowledging ongoing protests in Jharkhand, while Opposition parties continued to raise their respective demands.
