The Incident and Immediate Parliamentary Response
On August 12, 2026, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned after a heated exchange in which CPI(M) MP John Brittas accused BJP MP Sushmita Dev of calling him “lungiwala.” The incident sparked a rare parliamentary disruption, highlighting deepening partisan tensions and prompting opposition MPs to stage a symbolic protest at the Makar Dwar entrance of Parliament. Over a dozen opposition members wore traditional mundu and raised slogans of “unity in diversity,” while the session lasted only about 21 minutes before being suspended.
- •Rajya Sabha Adjourned Over ‘Lungiwala’ Row: What It Reveals About Parliamentary Powers
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Over ‘Lungiwala’ Row: What It Reveals About Parliamentary Powers
The Rajya Sabha was halted after just 21 minutes on 12 August 2026 when CPI(M) MP John Brittas alleged that BJP MP Sushmita Dev had called him “lungiwala” during a debate on the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The incident sparked a protest at Makar Dwar, where opposition members donned mundu and invoked “unity in diversity”, underscoring the clash between parliamentary decorum and political dissent.
The uproar began when Brittas, moving a statutory resolution against the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, accused Dev of repeatedly heckling him with the slur. The Chairman, C.P. Radhakrishnan, ordered an adjournment, and the session was formally closed after a brief 21‑minute debate.
- ▸Date of adjournment: 12 August 2026
- ▸Session duration: 21 minutes (pre‑lunch)
- ▸MPs involved: John Brittas (CPI (M)), Sushmita Dev (BJP)
- ▸Protest location: Makar Dwar, Parliament House entrance
- ▸Symbolic attire: Mundu worn by several opposition MPs
The opposition’s protest highlighted the constitutional emphasis on the dignity of the House, a principle repeatedly invoked in parliamentary debates.
Rajya Sabha: Composition and Tenure
The Upper House comprises 245 members, of whom 233 are elected by state legislatures and 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, or social service. Members serve six‑year terms, with one‑third retiring every two years, ensuring continuity while allowing periodic renewal. The presiding officer is the Vice President of India, who acts ex‑officio as Chairperson but does not influence the election of members.
- ▸Total strength: 245 members
- ▸Elected members: 233 (by state legislatures)
- ▸Nominated members: 12 (by the President)
- ▸Term length: 6 years, staggered retirement of 1/3 every 2 years
- ▸Chairperson: Vice President of India (Article 64)
Powers and Procedural Limits
The Rajya Sabha enjoys substantial legislative authority but is circumscribed by specific constitutional provisions. It can reject, amend, or delay ordinary bills, yet money bills—defined under Article 110—must originate and be passed by the Lok Sabha, with the Upper House limited to a 14‑day review. The House frames its own procedural rules under Article 106, and members’ qualifications are prescribed by Article 84. When the two Houses disagree on a bill, a joint sitting may be convened under Article 108, though the Rajya Sabha cannot dissolve itself, unlike the Lok Sabha.
- ▸Authority to amend/reject ordinary bills (except money bills)
- ▸Review period for money bills: 14 days (Lok Sabha final)
- ▸Rules of Procedure: Article 106
- ▸Membership qualifications: Article 84
- ▸Joint sittings triggered by deadlock: Article 108
These mechanisms balance federal representation with the need for efficient law‑making, while also safeguarding the Upper House’s role as a revising chamber.
Recent Legislative Agenda: FCRA Amendment and State Renaming
In the same session, the Rajya Sabha approved the nomination of ten members to a Joint Parliamentary Committee to scrutinise the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The bill proposes a designated authority to seize assets of NGOs whose FCRA licences are cancelled, without prior hearing—a move that raises questions about procedural fairness and the balance between national security and civil society autonomy.
Simultaneously, the House passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, responding to a 2024 state resolution seeking to rename the state “Keralam”. The same debate saw BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya urging a similar change for West Bengal to “Pashchim Bongo”, invoking colonial legacies.
- ▸FCRA Amendment Bill: creation of a designated authority for asset vesting
- ▸Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill: formal name change to “Keralam”
- ▸Joint Committee nomination: 10 Rajya Sabha members
- ▸Legislative focus: NGO regulation, federal‑state identity politics
These initiatives illustrate the Rajya Sabha’s capacity to shape both national policy and regional aspirations.
Did You Know? The Rajya Sabha is the only Indian parliamentary chamber that cannot be dissolved; its continuity is ensured by staggered retirements, making it a permanent body since its inception in 1952.
Significance and Way Forward
The “lungiwala” episode exposes the fragility of parliamentary decorum when partisan rhetoric spills into personal affronts. While
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Concepts Mentioned
Article 108
Article 108 of the Indian Constitution provides for a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha when a bill is deadlocked after two successive sessions. It is the sole constitutional mechanism to break legislative impasses, ensuring that crucial reforms can be enacted. Since 1952 it has been invoked seven times, most recently for the 73rd amendment in 1992.
Article 84
Article 84 is a constitutional provision outlining eligibility for membership in India's Parliament. It holds significant importance in Indian governance. The article sets a minimum age of 30 for Rajya Sabha members.
Article 106
Article 106 of the Indian Constitution outlines the election, qualifications and removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. It ensures each house has a presiding officer; for instance, the Lok Sabha elects its Speaker within thirty days of a general election.
Article 110
Article 110 of the Indian Constitution defines a Money Bill, listing matters such as taxation, appropriation, and borrowing. It restricts the Rajya Sabha’s power by allowing only the Lok Sabha to introduce and pass such bills, with the Speaker’s certification final; the 2020 Finance Bill was certified as a Money Bill under this provision.
Vice President of India
The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional office, serving as ex‑officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and succeeding the President if the latter dies, resigns, or is removed. The role balances legislative oversight with executive continuity. For example, M. Venkaiah Naidu presided over the Upper House from 2017 to 2022.
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