New Delhi, March 9, 2026: The second phase of the Budget Session in Parliament was disrupted on Monday as opposition MPs, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, staged a noisy protest accusing the Narendra Modi government of remaining silent on the escalating West Asia crisis and compromising India’s interests.
The uproar began around 11:15 AM when opposition leaders gathered at Makar Dwar in the Parliament complex, holding placards and a large banner that read: “GULF BURNING, OIL SHOCK. INDIANS STRANDED. INDIA NEEDS LEADERSHIP — NOT SILENCE.” They later moved inside the Lok Sabha, surrounding the well of the House and chanting slogans such as “PM Modi compromised” and “Surrender Surrender” during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s briefing on the crisis.
The protest was triggered by the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, which intensified in late February 2026 and has spilled into the Indian Ocean region. Opposition leaders highlighted risks to India’s energy security — with over 40% of oil imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz — rising oil and gas prices, potential financial losses to the economy, and the safety of Indian nationals in Gulf countries. Several MPs pointed to recent incidents, including the sinking of an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, and criticised the government for issuing only a one-sided statement instead of allowing a full debate or questions.
Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the government, which champions “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, had failed to protect stranded Indians and appeared to be acting under US pressure. Rahul Gandhi, speaking after one of the adjournments, said: “What’s happening in West Asia will lead to a huge financial loss… A battle is underway to shift the global paradigm, and this is going to cause a major loss to our economy. You’ve seen the stock market, so the country will suffer a big blow. So, what is the problem with discussing it?” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a contingency plan for energy security and accused the Centre of dodging accountability.
In his statement to both Houses, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assured MPs that the safety of Indian nationals remained the government’s top priority. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally spoken with leaders of several Gulf countries and received assurances on their well-being. The Indian Embassy in Iran is fully operational and assisting nationals; advisories have been issued, and flights have repatriated thousands. Jaishankar emphasised India’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, de-escalation and respect for sovereignty, while acknowledging serious supply-chain disruptions.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and others objected to the format, arguing that a mere statement without questions or discussion was insufficient. Amid continuous sloganeering, the Lok Sabha was adjourned multiple times and finally till 3 PM on Tuesday. A no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla, moved by opposition parties over alleged partisan conduct, could not be taken up.
The episode reflects growing opposition criticism of the Modi government’s foreign policy, with Rahul Gandhi and other leaders repeatedly describing it as a “surrender” of India’s strategic autonomy amid pressures related to trade deals, oil purchases and regional conflicts.
The House is expected to resume discussions on the crisis when it reconvenes.
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