Lok Sabha Chaos Over Naravane Memoir

Eight Opposition MPs suspended after repeated disruptions over national security debate

February 3, 2026: The Lok Sabha was repeatedly disrupted on Tuesday, culminating in the suspension of eight Opposition MPs and multiple adjournments following a heated row over former Army chief MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir. Soon after proceedings resumed at 3 pm, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a resolution against members accused of creating a ruckus and throwing papers in protest after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote a media article citing the memoir. The suspended MPs include Manickam Tagore, Hibi Eden, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Gurjeet Aujla, Prashant Padole, S Venkat Raman, Kiran Reddy and Dean Kuriakose, after which the House was adjourned for the day.

Earlier in the day, proceedings were adjourned minutes after the House met at 11 am, with disruptions continuing during brief resumptions at noon and 2 pm. Rahul Gandhi repeatedly sought to raise national security concerns linked to the 2020 India–China border standoff, stating that he had authenticated the article he wanted to quote. BJP members objected strongly, arguing that unpublished material cannot be cited under parliamentary rules, a view echoed by Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Tensions were further fuelled by Opposition protests over the alleged demolition at Varanasi’s Manikarnika Ghat and the India–US trade deal announced by US President Donald Trump. In the Rajya Sabha, Opposition MPs staged a walkout over the trade agreement. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla termed the disruptions a “planned attempt” to derail proceedings, while the BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of misleading the House and undermining the armed forces, charges the Congress rejected, insisting the government was evading scrutiny on national security issues.