Live: Parliament Monsoon Session Day 19 | Opposition questions debate limit as Amit Shah agrees to talk

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns in the Upper House regarding an alleged 'shuddhikaran' (purification) event at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground following his August 8, 2026 public address. "Register a criminal case against this act of untouchability, that is my demand," Kharge stated, blaming the governing party for the incident. In response, Leader of the House J.P. Nadda affirmed that the BJP does not endorse such actions. Denouncing the act, he mentioned that BJP National President Nitin Nabin is treating the issue with utmost seriousness. "Strict legal action will follow against those found guilty in the inquiry," he said, asking the Congress not to politicise the event. "Untouchability is a social evil. Regardless of political line, we all condemn it. Every individual is pure and requires no purification ceremony. I request the administration to investigate this matter and ensure the culprits are penalised," Chair C.P. Radhakrishnan noted in his remarks. Political tension has mounted in Uttarakhand after Congress accused a BJP-aligned group of conducting the ritual post Kharge's rally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were present in the chamber as the national song was played, right before Speaker Om Birla declared the House adjourned sine die.

In the Chair: C.P. Radhakrishnan

In the Chair: Speaker Om Birla The sitting commenced with the playing of Vande Mataram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present inside the House.

Ahead of the day's sitting in the Monsoon Session, lawmakers from both the Opposition and Treasury benches engaged in a protest face-off near Makar Dwar inside the Parliament complex.

Congress Member of Parliament Manickam Tagore has submitted a Calling Attention Notice in the Lok Sabha concerning the persistent apprehension and detention of Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu's coastal areas such as Rameswaram, by Sri Lankan naval forces. - ANI

On Thursday (August 13, 2026), parliamentarians are set to direct questions to officials from key union ministries, including Civil Aviation, Food Processing Industries, Housing and Urban Affairs, Jal Shakti, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Power, Tribal Affairs, and Road Transport and Highways.

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) approved two additional draft laws: The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. Amid continuous disruptions in the Monsoon Session, the Upper House has cleared roughly 10 Bills so far, besides specific Money Bills sent back to the Lok Sabha.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Wednesday that he was open to a comprehensive debate regarding the protests against the NEET paper leak, while Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned the government's readiness to extend the time set aside for the discussion. However, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi declined the offer, arguing that youth seek direct answers about who authorized the police assault and firing on demonstrators, rather than listening to lectures from Shah.

Initial signs of the Union Government softening its position on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, surfaced on August 9 after several Christian groups posted messages across YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp, urging the Centre to send the draft law to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or rescind it. These public appeals were viewed as a graceful way for the government to step back from pushing the measure through Parliament. On Wednesday (August 12), Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved a proposal in the Lok Sabha to refer the draft law to a JPC. The motion was adopted amid shouting, giving lawmakers more time to examine its contested clauses.