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India Parliament passes Supreme Court judges increase amid protests
The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha concluded the Monsoon Session by passing several bills despite repeated opposition protests. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 was moved by Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and approved by both houses, raising the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38 – the first increase since 2019. The bill also sparked criticism from opposition MPs over issues such as alleged theft of Ram Temple donations, the NEET‑UG paper leak and judicial appointment transparency.
Other legislation cleared without debate included the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, and the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill. All were passed by voice vote as opposition members engaged in loud sloganeering, prompting the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, and the Rajya Sabha Chairperson, C. P. Radhakrishnan, to adjourn the houses repeatedly. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s remarks branding opposition parties “anti‑Lord Ram” were later expunged from the record. Rajya Sabha MP Haris Beeran called for judges’ monthly salaries of Rs 20 lakh during the debate on the judges‑strength amendment.
Entities
Arjun Ram Meghwal · C. P. Radhakrishnan · Haris Beeran · Kiren Rijiju · Lok Sabha · M. Thambi Durai · Nirmala Sitharaman · Om Birla · Supreme Court of India
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed in the Lok Sabha without debate amid opposition protests. www.deccanchronicle.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rajya Sabha MP Haris Beeran called for judges' monthly salaries to be increased to Rs 20 lakh during the debate on the Supreme Court judges amendment bill. www.mathrubhumi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 was passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha amid protests. www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 increased the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38. www.latestly.com · www.news18.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Rajya Sabha passed the Supreme Court judges amendment bill on 5 August 2026. www.latestly.com · www.news18.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Opposition members repeatedly shouted slogans in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, causing adjournments of the Monsoon Session. tennews.in · www.nationalheraldindia.com · www.newindianexpress.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote without debate. thecsrjournal.in
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Lok Sabha cleared the Supreme Court judges amendment bill earlier in the week by voice vote. www.latestly.com · www.news18.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rajya Sabha MP Haris Beeran demanded judges’ monthly salaries of Rs 20 lakh during discussion of the judges‑strength amendment bill. www.mathrubhumi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Rajya Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill by voice vote without debate. thecsrjournal.in
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation and other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by voice vote without debate. www.deccanchronicle.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju made remarks branding opposition parties anti‑Lord Ram, which were later expunged from the record. www.newindianexpress.com