Proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament were affected today amid the Opposition’s demand for a discussion on the India-China border issue.

The government, however, rejected the Opposition’s demand, saying that a statement had already been made in Parliament on the recent clash between the troops of the two countries at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

When the Lok Sabha met after the first adjournment at 1200 hrs, members from Congress, TMC, DMK, and others continued with their sloganeering.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that it was a very sensitive matter and detailed discussions did not happen even during the Congress regime on such issues. He urged the members to allow the House to function.

But, agitating members continued with their protest leading to the adjournment of the House till 1400 hrs. Earlier in the morning when the House met for the day, Congress and other opposition members trooped into the well raising the issue.

Speaker Om Birla appealed to the members to allow the House to take up the Question Hour, but they did not pay heed. As the noisy scene continued the Speaker adjourned the House till 1200 hrs.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha. When the House met for the day, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected adjournment notices given by the Opposition members on the India-China border issue, alleged objectionable remarks by Leader of the House and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal over Bihar, and other issues. The Chair ruled that the notices were not in accordance with the rules.

Following this, Congress members trooped into the well raising slogans. Members from DMK, TMC, RJD, Left, and others were also on their feet. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said, since the beginning of the session, they were demanding a discussion over the India-China border issue and the House must take it up.

He said the Opposition was insisting on it and nothing was above the security of the country. Kharge argued that the House did not function on rules always and sometimes conventions were also taken into consideration.

Leader of the House Goyal said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have already made statements in the House giving all information over the face-off between the Indian and Chinese troops at Tawang.

He said that during the Congress rule also discussions were not allowed on such issues. He said China encroached upon 38000 km of Indian territory during the Congress regime. He also alleged that the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, a body run by the Congress Party, had received funds from China.

On his objectionable remarks on Bihar, Goyal expressed regret and also withdrew the remarks, saying that he had no intention to insult the people of the state. Amid the ruckus, the Chairman warned the protesting members of strong action.

Protesting against not being allowed to discuss the India-China border issue, the Congress-led Opposition announced to boycott the sitting of the House for the entire day.