India's Parliament Passes Key Bills in Minutes Amid Opposition Protests

During the Monsoon Session, the Lok Sabha approved the Appropriation Bill, 2026 in just two minutes after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced it at 2:12 pm on August 4. Similar rapid passages occurred for the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill and the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, most with voice votes and little debate.

Opposition members staged walkouts and protests over issues such as an alleged examination paper leak and the Ayodhya Temple donation theft case, which the government said curtailed discussion time. Opposition leader Derek O'Brien accused the government of “passing bills as quickly as Maggi noodles are made,” while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju blamed the opposition’s disruptions for the reduced debate.

The government maintains that parliamentary business is proceeding despite the protests.