Amid massive Opposition furore, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) adopted a motion to send the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. This came following a spar between Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Opposition leaders K.C. Venugopal and Akhilesh Yadav over the Bill targetting minority communities. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha took up the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for consideration and passing.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) said the Opposition is not allowing the Parliament to function in either House. Speaking to the reporters, he said, the government is ready for a discussion on all aspects of the students’ protests related to the NEET issue and that he would answer “all questions” on the floor of the House.
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“If Opposition gives it in writing to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla by 2 p.m. today, we can start a discussion at 3 p.m. today until 3 p.m. tomorrow. If the discussion starts, I will give a reply tomorrow at 3 p.m.,” the Home Minister said. Hitting back, LoP Rahul Gandhi declines the offer, stating that the Opposition is “not interested” in Mr. Shah’s lecture.
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The report of an inquiry committee which investigated allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma — against whom removal proceedings were initiated over the alleged discovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence — was tabled in Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned in pre-lunch session without transacting any business following an uproar over BJP MP Sushmita Dev’s alleged derogatory remarks against CPM’s John Brittas.
Amid massive Opposition furore, the Lok Sabha adopted the motion to send the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, proposes tighter government oversight of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and foreign funding in the country.
Among its key provisions is the creation of a designated authority to manage and dispose of assets if an organisation loses its FCRA licence. Under the proposed law, if an FCRA certificate is cancelled, surrendered, or lapses, foreign contributions and all assets created using those contributions would vest in a government-appointed designated authority without any prior hearing or judicial determination.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says if Opposition has any objections to the Bill, they can put their views before the JPC.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says the entire Opposition is against this Bill. “If you say this Bill does not target minority communties, which Bill have you proposed which does not?”
Mr. Rijiju challenges Mr. Yadav to show him a provision of the Bill that targets any community. “This is an attempt to mislead certain communities,” he hits out at the Opposition.
Upon the Centre proposing to move a resolution on sending the FCRA Bill to a JPC, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal said the Opposition demands its withdrawal, calling it a way to target NGOs and minority organisations.
To this, Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju hits back saying the Opposition should be happy that it is being referred to the JPC, a demand they have been pressing for.
The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 11 without debate.
Lok Sabha passes two Bills amid ongoing Opposition protests demanding a statement from Amit Shah on recent student protests and issues.
Amid continued uproar, as Members rose to submite reports of standing committees, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey was heard passing remarks on the ongoing Jharkhand agitation, calling for the resignation of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi over “playing with the lives of students”.
Chair: Jagdambika Pal
Opposition MPs keep up their protests via sloganeering.
Rajya Sabha proceedings resumed with BJP MP Sushmita Dev clarifying her alleged derogatory remarks against CPM’s John Brittas.
Soon after listed papers were laid on the table at the start of the day, Mr. Brittas raised the issue of him being targetted with the “lungiwala” slur by Ms. Dev.
“If he feels I need to approach him and say something, I would be more than happy to. I love the people of Kerala, northeast, Karnataka...,” she said.
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda said the concerned members could meet and resolve the “misunderstanding”.
The Union government is expected to move a resolution in the Lok Sabha to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The motion is listed in the supplementary list of business in the Lower House.
The Centre plans to refer the controversial FCRA Amendment Bill to a JPC, facing strong Opposition demands for its withdrawal.
Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s latest statement, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said: “Tomorrow is the last day of the session. Today, he (Amit Shah) has suddenly become ready to make a statement. This means he deliberately did not allow the House to function, and now, when only one day is left, he is saying he is ready to make a statement.”
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee said: “Ask the Home Minister to come to the House and speak. I have been coming to the Parliament, but he has not been coming. After splitting parties, now that you (Union Home Minister) are not coming to Parliament shows that you are rattled. Why is he communicating through the media? He can communicate directly.”
Amid continued disruption of the ongoing Monsoon Session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) said he is ready to answer any question in Parliament and that the government is willing to take up a detailed discussion on “all aspects of the students’ protests related to the NEET issue” from 3 p.m. on Wednesday to 3 p.m. on Thursday (August 13, 2026).
Amit Shah vows to address all questions in Parliament amid ongoing Monsoon Session disruptions and Opposition protests.
The report of an inquiry committee which investigated allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma -- against whom removal proceedings were initiated over the alleged discovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence -- was tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Secretary General P.C. Mody tabled the two-volume report (English and Hindi versions) along with oral and documentary evidence recorded during the course of the investigation.
The three-member probe panel had submitted its findings to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in May.
The Speaker had constituted the inquiry committee on August 12, 2025, to probe the alleged discovery of wads of cash from the judge’s Delhi bungalow.
According to the list of business of the Lok Sabha for Wednesday, the secretary general of the Lower House will “lay” the two volumes of the report along with oral evidence in the House.
Speaking to the reporters outside the Parliament Complex, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, says, “Words like ‘missing’ and ‘fugitives’ are terms that have only recently begun to be heard in India’s public and parliamentary discourse. Ever since the Parliament session began, I have been coming regularly and sitting in my chamber. But the Opposition is not allowing Parliament to function in either House. So, what is the point of anyone going inside when the proceedings are not being allowed to run?
He says as far as the issue of discussion is concerned, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has made it very clear that the government is ready for a discussion on all aspects of the students’ protests related to the NEET issue. The Opposition had initially demanded that time be allotted for a discussion and that the government should agree to it.
He says, “I have also made it clear from my side that I am ready to answer any questions in Parliament. But they simply do not want the discussion to take place. Now, let the people decide who is actually running away. Even today, I say that they should submit a letter to the Speaker by 3 p.m. We are ready for all kind of discussions from 3 p.m. today until 3 p.m. tomorrow. I will remain present in the House, listen to everyone and answer every question. The government has nothing to hide. I am also ready to discuss why they do not want a discussion. The BJP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the NDA government under his leadership, is ready to discuss every issue. They should allow the Parliament to function.”
Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned in pre-lunch session on Wednesday without transacting any business following an uproar over BJP MP Sushmita Dev’s alleged derogatory remarks against CPM’s John Brittas.
Soon after listed papers were laid on the table at the start of the day, Mr. Brittas raised the issue of him being targetted with the “lungiwala” slur by Ms. Dev.
While Mr. Brittas found support in Opposition ranks, Treasury benches demanded that Ms. Dev be heard before passing any order.
Amid a ruckus, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, who ruled that he would call the concerned MPs to his chamber to discuss the issue, adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.
Mr. Brittas had had earlier moved a privilege motion against Ms. Dev for addressing him as “lungiwala” during proceedings in the Upper House on Monday.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday told protesting Opposition members that even if their approach and thoughts differ from the ruling front, the country wants the House to function.
He also appealed to the Opposition to allow the House to function, stressing that it was not right for them to tarnish the image of the House by holding protests and shouting slogans.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m. over protests from the Opposition.
Protests erupt in Rajya Sabha. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju says multiple disruptions and protests are unbecoming of the House.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appeals for calm in the House. He urges the MPs to let the House function without any disruptions.
Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2 p.m. over uproar from the Opposition
Published - August 12, 2026 10:40 am IST
parliament / Parliament proceedings / Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha / Live news
Source: The Hindu - India News
