Parliament Budget Session 2026: Lok Sabha Erupts Over Rahul Gandhi’s Reference to Former Army Chief’s Memoir

New Delhi:

The Budget Session of Parliament witnessed intense political confrontation on Sunday as the Lok Sabha was disrupted following remarks made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who quoted from an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane during a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.

The remarks triggered sharp objections from the Treasury benches, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah questioning the credibility and propriety of citing material that is not in the public domain. The House saw repeated interruptions, forcing the Speaker to intervene as members from both sides raised slogans.

Government Pushback on ‘Unverified’ Reference

Rajnath Singh strongly objected to the reference, stating that quoting from an unpublished book was inappropriate and misleading. He stressed that Parliament must rely on verified and publicly available information, especially when matters related to national security and the armed forces are involved.

Amit Shah echoed the concerns, asserting that speculative or unverified content should not be used to frame narratives in the House. He accused the Opposition of politicising sensitive military matters.

Rahul Gandhi, however, maintained that his remarks were based on media reports referring to

General Naravane’s observations and argued that the government was attempting to silence dissent during a crucial debate.

Budget 2026 Presented Amid Turmoil

The uproar came on the same day Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026–27, outlining the government’s roadmap for fiscal consolidation, increased capital expenditure, infrastructure expansion, and investment in future-ready sectors such as technology, green energy, and manufacturing.

Despite disruptions, the government reiterated its commitment to economic growth, projecting a steady GDP expansion while navigating global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions.

Key Developments in Parliament

• Rajya Sabha discussions focused on the UDAAN regional connectivity scheme, with the Civil Aviation Minister confirming that over 650 routes have been operationalised so far.
• Water quality and pollution concerns were raised, with the Jal Shakti Ministry stating that ₹67,000 crore has been allocated to the Jal Jeevan Mission in Budget 2026.
• CPI(M) MP Dr. John Brittas criticised centralisation of power, calling for amendments to wildlife laws to empower states.
• JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha hailed the Budget as “future-oriented” despite global economic challenges.
• AIADMK MPs renewed demands for conferring the Bharat Ratna on former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
• Congress MP Manickam Tagore sought an urgent discussion on international reports allegedly linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to communications associated with Jeffrey Epstein, though no date has been set for the debate.

Proceedings Continue

The Lok Sabha is scheduled to reconvene with nearly 18 hours allotted for discussion on the President’s Address. However, continued political friction suggests further disruptions as the Budget Session progresses.