The Opposition's demand for a debate on the latest allegations against the Adani Group disrupted both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, leading to adjournments and a washed-out third day of the winter session. Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha engaged in heated protests, forcing an early suspension of the day’s proceedings.
Protests Over Adani Allegations
The controversy centers around a criminal indictment filed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and a civil complaint by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Adani Group’s chairman Gautam Adani and several executives. The charges stem from a series of allegations regarding bribery and obstruction of justice under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). While the Adani Group has dismissed the charges as baseless, the Opposition is adamant about holding an inquiry, accusing the government of shielding Adani.
Despite legal arguments from former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi and BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani, who defended the Adanis, claiming that neither Gautam nor his nephew Sagar were named in the charges related to bribery, the Opposition rejected these claims. They called for the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate what they termed the Modani scam, which they allege has global ramifications.
The protests in the Lok Sabha intensified when Opposition members, including Congress MPs, sought a discussion on the Adani issue as well as on recent violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district. Members stormed the Well of the House and raised slogans, disrupting the Question Hour. Speaker Om Birla pleaded for order, warning against creating a deadlock, before adjourning the session until noon. The situation worsened after the session resumed, leading to the adjournment of the House for the day.
Rajya Sabha Also Adjourned Amid Protests
In the Rajya Sabha, the session was briefly adjourned in the morning as the Opposition protested against the government’s refusal to allow discussions on the Adani charges and other issues. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected 18 adjournment motions related to various topics, including the Adani Group’s alleged financial irregularities and rising crime in the national capital.
Despite repeated calls for a discussion, Dhankhar maintained that no point of order could be raised while the House was in disorder. He also emphasized the need for deference to the Chair and adherence to parliamentary traditions. After some brief protests, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day.
Opposition Blames Government for Deadlock
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, blamed the government for preventing a debate on the Adani issue. Gandhi argued that the charges against Adani should be taken seriously, noting that thousands of people were arrested for minor offenses, while Adani, despite being indicted in the US, remained unpunished.
Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra also condemned Adani, accusing him of bribery and deception in relation to the charges. “Bribery is at the heart of the charges,” she stated, urging the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to investigate further.
Also Read: Parliament Winter Session Drama: Adani Bribery Row & Manipur Protests
Government Defends Adani Group
On the other hand, legal experts associated with the Adani Group sought to clear the air. Rohatgi and Jethmalani both issued statements asserting that neither Gautam Adani nor his nephew were involved in the specific charges of bribery or obstruction of justice. Rohatgi emphasized that the criminal indictment did not name the Adanis in the counts related to these charges, while Jethmalani suggested that the evidence presented in the indictment was insufficient and appeared politically motivated.
Winter Session Continues Amidst Protests
The ongoing winter session, which is scheduled to run until December 20, is expected to continue to witness heated debates on the Adani allegations. Despite the government's hopes that the Opposition's protests may subside next week, a faction of the Opposition remains resolute in their demand for a JPC investigation.
On Thursday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will join the Parliament session, having won the recent by-election from Wayanad. Her participation is expected to add momentum to the Opposition's demand for a discussion on the Adani controversy.
As the political drama continues to unfold both inside and outside Parliament, the future of the winter session remains uncertain.
Also Read: Adani Group Denies Bribery Charges Amid U.S. Indictment
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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