Live: PM seeks constructive Monsoon Session, urges fact-based debate

Live blogParliament Monsoon Session Live Updates: Parliament's Monsoon Session is set to begin amid heightened political tensions, with the Opposition set to target the government over the NEET-UG paper leak, Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike, the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft, ethanol blending and foreign policy. The NDA enters the session strengthened after 37 Opposition MPs crossed over, bringing it closer to the special majority needed for Constitutional Amendment Bills, including those on delimitation and One Nation, One Election. The Speaker's decision on 20 rebel TMC MPs, protests over Wangchuk, and Amit Shah's proposed bill extending statutory protection to Vande Mataram are expected to dominate a high-stakes three-week session. Follow this space for all the live updates....Read MorePM's address ahead of Monsoon SessionJul 20, 2026 11:05 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: Sanjay Raut dares PM, Amit Shah to recite Vande Mataram without teleprompterAhead of the introduction of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to recite Vande Mataram without a teleprompter. The proposed bill, to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha, seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, making the intentional insult of, or disruption during, the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence. Jul 20, 2026 10:49 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: Opposition leaders huddle at Kharge's office ahead of ParliamentOpposition leaders are meeting at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's office in Parliament to discuss their strategy for the first day of the Monsoon Session.Jul 20, 2026 10:45 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: PM urges fact-based debate, calls for respect for every voicePrime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to MPs to engage in constructive, fact-based discussions during the Monsoon Session, saying strong arguments backed by facts carry greater weight than confrontation. Expressing hope for meaningful deliberations, Modi said every voice should get an opportunity to be heard and every opinion should be respected. He also urged lawmakers across party lines to participate enthusiastically in the proceedings of Parliament. Jul 20, 2026 10:39 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: PM says India weathered West Asia crisis with strong growthPrime Minister Narendra Modi said India had demonstrated remarkable economic resilience despite global conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty, highlighting the country's 7.7 per cent growth rate as evidence of its strength. Referring to the impact of the West Asia conflict on energy supplies, fertilisers and chemicals, PM Modi said India had overcome multiple challenges to emerge as the world's fastest-growing major economy. "The country has gathered momentum, and the spirit of Parliament gives fresh energy to that pace," he said. The Prime Minister also credited the government's reform agenda for driving innovation and development. He pointed to the inauguration of a major oil refinery in Rajasthan, the commissioning of the country's third semiconductor plant, and the launch of a green hydrogen-powered train, describing them as milestones made possible by the efforts of India's scientists, engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs and workers. Jul 20, 2026 10:34 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: PM praises space mission, takes '56-year-old youth' dig at RahulPrime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India's private space sector, highlighting the achievements of Skyroot Aerospace and its young workforce. Calling it a remarkable milestone, Modi said only a handful of countries have witnessed such success by private enterprise in the space sector. Referring to Skyroot Aerospace, he noted that the average age of its team is just 28 years, describing it as proof of the potential of India's youth. "It is young people like these who have achieved this feat. I am not talking about some 56-year-old 'youth'," the Prime Minister remarked, adding that these startups and their young teams had planted India's flag in space. Jul 20, 2026 10:28 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: PM Modi celebrates India's first private rocket launch with big shoutout to Skyroot AerospacePrime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope for a constructive Monsoon Session of Parliament and began his remarks by praising India's growing achievements in the space sector, particularly the role of private players in driving innovation and expanding the country's space capabilities.Jul 20, 2026 10:25 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrives at Parliament Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived at Parliament ahead of the start of the Monsoon Session. Earlier, he appealed to MPs across party lines to ensure the House functions smoothly. Urging members to uphold the spirit of constructive debate, Birla expressed hope that lawmakers would work together to facilitate meaningful discussions on issues of national importance and ensure the orderly conduct of proceedings. Jul 20, 2026 10:14 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: Opposition MPs seek Parliament debate on NEET row, demand minister's accountabilityCongress MP Gaurav Gogoi has submitted an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha over the NEET issue, while CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar has moved a Rule 267 suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha. Kumar has sought to suspend the day's listed business to discuss what he described as the "complete breakdown" in the conduct of the NEET examination, the nationwide student protests, and to demand accountability from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Jul 20, 2026 10:01 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: Samajwadi Party backs protest march, seeks debate on key issues in ParliamentSamajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said the party has submitted notices seeking discussions on several issues of public concern and will press for debates during the Monsoon Session. "We have a meeting of the party right now. Let's see how much the Speaker allows and how much the government is ready for discussion," he said. Yadav also expressed support for the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest march, saying SP MPs had been extending their backing to the agitation. "Under the leadership of Dimple Yadav, we had visited Jantar Mantar to support the youth. Our MPs have been going there in groups and will continue to do so," he said. Jul 20, 2026 09:59 ISTParliament Monsoon Session Live: BJP targets INDIA bloc, calls Opposition 'divided' ahead of sessionAhead of the Monsoon Session, BJP MP Rudra Narayan Pany said it was the Opposition's responsibility to raise issues in Parliament but claimed the INDIA bloc was too divided to function as a united alliance. Referring to internal rifts within Opposition parties, Pany alleged that the Trinamool Congress was split, the DMK had distanced itself from the Congress, and other Opposition parties were pursuing their own political interests. "If they claim to speak as the INDIA alliance, House proceedings will only be disrupted. They contest elections independently and are not united," he said. On reports of growing distance between the DMK and the INDIA bloc, Pany said the party should move closer to the NDA, recalling that the DMK was once an ally of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and describing it as "naturally a non-Congress party." Jul 20, 2026 09:52 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: Samajwadi Party yet to decide on joining CJP's protest marchSamajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said the party is yet to decide whether its MPs will participate in the proposed protest march to Parliament. Speaking ahead of the Monsoon Session, he said a meeting of SP MPs has been scheduled for 9.30 am, after which the Parliamentary Party will take a call. Jul 20, 2026 09:46 ISTParliament Monsoon Session: Amit Shah to table bill granting legal protection to Vande MataramUnion Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, by extending statutory protection to Vande Mataram, making its obstruction or intentional insult a punishable offence on par with the national anthem.Jul 20, 2026 09:40 ISTMonsoon Session 2026: Delhi on high alert ahead of Parliament session, proposed 'Chalo Sansad' marchMeanwhile, Delhi Police has stepped up security across the national capital ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed "Chalo Sansad" march on Monday. Heavy deployment of security personnel has been made around Jantar Mantar, Parliament and other key locations. Authorities have also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the New Delhi district. The heightened security comes after the CJP announced its planned march to protest alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In a public advisory issued on X on Sunday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma said, "Delhi Police categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession." The DCP also reiterated that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC) remain in force in the New Delhi district. Jul 20, 2026 08:51 ISTParliament Session: Congress seeks discussion on Ayodhya Ram Temple donation rowCongress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has submitted a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha, seeking an immediate discussion on the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Jul 20, 2026 08:46 ISTParliament Monsoon Session Live: Congress to hold key strategy meeting before Parliament opensCongress Lok Sabha MPs will meet at 10.30 am at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) office in Parliament ahead of the start of the Monsoon Session. The MPs will be briefed on the decisions taken at the Opposition floor leaders' meeting as the party finalises its strategy for the session. Jul 20, 2026 08:43 ISTWelcome to India Today's live coverage of the Monsoon Session of ParliamentThe three-week session begins amid heightened political tensions, with the Opposition set to corner the government over the NEET-UG paper leak, Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike, the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft, ethanol blending and foreign policy. The NDA, bolstered by recent defections from the Opposition, is eyeing key legislation, while a series of contentious political and legislative battles are expected to unfold in both Houses. Stay with us for all the latest updates, key debates and breaking developments from Parliament.