Monsoon session was arid, Parliament fell short

The Monsoon Session, held after student protests and a minister's resignation, concluded on Thursday. The session marked the first time in recent history where the Lok Sabha passed 11 bills, with nine being passed without much discussion. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026, however, faced detailed scrutiny for nearly 11 hours, seen by only 48 MPs.

The session fell short, as it largely ignored the structural problems in the education system and the broader concerns raised by student protests. The government and opposition both failed to address these issues, with the government needing to show more accommodation and generosity. Instead, the Prime Minister and Home Minister were notably absent.

This session was particularly arid, as key issues, such as accountability for excessive force against students and allegations of theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, were not debated. The government and opposition are now accountable for finding ways to demonstrate their responsiveness, as the issues raised by the students' agitation remain unresolved.