Parliament Budget Session: BJP slams Opposition walkout during Jaishankar’s statement on West Asia war

Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday (March 9, 2026) said the Opposition only wants "anarchy" as the Congress and other Opposition parties created ruckus and staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha during a statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the situation in West Asia.

Soon after obituary references and laying of listed papers, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan called Mr. Jaishankar to make the statement.

Parliament Budget Session: Follow LIVE updates on March 9, 2026

However, Congress President and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought permission to speak. After being permitted by the Chair, he said the escalation in the West Asia conflict will affect the country's economic stability and endanger the security and livelihood of Indian citizens working there.

"I request a short-duration discussion on emerging challenges for energy security and the fast-changing geopolitical situation in West Asia affecting India's energy security," Mr. Kharge said.

The Chairman told Mr. Kharge he would come back to him, and again asked Mr. Jaishankar to make the statement.

As the Minister started making the statement, MPs belonging to the Congress and other Opposition parties were on their feet and insisted that Mr. Kharge be allowed to complete his remarks, and also demanded a short discussion.

Jaishankar’s statement on West Asia conflict: India favours peace, return to dialogue, prioritises Indian’s safety

Later, the entire Opposition staged a walkout from the House while the Minister was making his statement. After Mr. Jaishankar's statement, Leader of the House Mr. Nadda termed the Opposition's behaviour as irresponsible and said they only want to create anarchy and hooliganism.

The senior BJP leader also said that the Opposition parties have no interest in the country's development, and have been staging walkouts during ministers' replies on various debates and discussions.

Meanwhile in the Lok Sabha, similar scenes ensued as Mr. Jaishankar made his statement in the Lower House too. After Mr. Jaishankar completed his statement, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Opposition of not following ethics of the House. Mr. Rijiju said their notice to remove Speaker Om Birla from office has already been accepted and the government is willing to discuss it but Opposition was disrupting the proceedings.

While urging members to go back to their seats, BJP Jagdambika Pal, in the chair, said the no confidence resolution against the Speaker would be taken up when the House is in order.

As the Opposition refused to relent, he adjourned the proceedings briefly till 3 p.m. Earlier, the House was adjourned for one hour after paying tributes to one sitting and four former members who had passed away recently.