India's Monsoon Session 2026 marked by NDA meeting and opposition walkouts
India’s Parliament began its Monsoon Session on 20 July 2026, scheduled to run until 13 August with 28 bills pending, including tax reforms, a Supreme Court judges amendment and a micro‑enterprise bill. On 21 July the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) held its first parliamentary party gathering of the session, titled “Mangal Milan”, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured as the longest‑serving elected prime minister and newly elected Rajya Sabha members were welcomed.
The session opened amid sharp opposition protest. An all‑party meeting convened by the Centre was walked out by Congress, SP, DMK, AAP, JMM, Shiv Sena (UBT) and other parties over the invitation of a breakaway faction of the Trinamool Congress (20 rebel MPs now in the Nationalist Citizens Party of India). The opposition also disrupted proceedings in both houses with slogans on the NEET‑UG paper‑leak controversy, the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, fuel‑price issues and the situation in Manipur.
Outside Parliament, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) staged large protests at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk. Police reported more than 118 officers injured during the clashes. The government, represented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, repeatedly appealed for smooth functioning of the House while insisting the legislative agenda would proceed.