SHABD | New Delhi | April 4: The Budget Session of Parliament concluded on Friday, April 4, 2025, after two days of intense debate in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Despite the uproar and political friction, both Houses were adjourned sine die, officially bringing an end to the session that began on January 31. In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla announced that the House held 26 sittings with a productivity rate exceeding 118%.
He noted that 16 bills were passed during the session, including several key pieces of legislation, despite repeated disruptions—particularly around the Waqf Bill. The final day saw high drama in the Lower House as opposition parties, including the Congress and DMK, protested against the United States’ imposition of reciprocal tariffs on India. MPs stormed the well of the House, raising slogans and demanding answers. In response, members of the ruling party demanded an apology from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for her remarks calling the Waqf Bill an “assault on the Constitution.”
The uproar led to the suspension of the Question Hour and a subsequent adjournment until noon. In the Rajya Sabha, similar disruptions occurred, but the Upper House managed to complete its legislative business before adjournment. Vice President and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar lauded the House for achieving a remarkable 119% productivity rate. He highlighted a historic milestone: the Rajya Sabha’s longest-ever sitting, spanning over 17 hours, to deliberate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. In his valedictory address, Vice President Dhankar praised the intensity and scale of the debate, calling it a landmark in the history of parliamentary proceedings.
He noted that the passage of the Waqf Bill, despite sharp criticism from opposition benches, underscored the importance of democratic deliberation. As both Houses adjourned sine die, the session closed with a blend of legislative success and political tension, reflecting the increasingly polarized nature of parliamentary discourse in India.
AGULI STAFF DESK
