The Union government has announced that the Monsoon Session of Parliament will be held from July 21 to August 12, 2025. The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs has forwarded its recommendation to President Droupadi Murmu for formal summoning. This announcement comes just a day after the Opposition mounted pressure for a special session to discuss the recent developments in Operation Sindoor.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated, “Every session is a special session for us,” emphasizing that under parliamentary rules, all important matters can be taken up during regular sessions.
Outreach Begins on Justice Varma’s Impeachment Motion
Alongside the session announcement, the Centre has initiated dialogue with Opposition parties to build a “unified response” in support of an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma, a High Court judge accused of corruption.
Mr. Rijiju confirmed having already held talks with leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and the Samajwadi Party (SP). “Most of the outreach was positive,” he noted, adding that parties had asked for a day or two to consult internally before committing to a position.
“The government’s effort is to get all parties to take a unified view on an issue pertaining to corruption in the judiciary,” the minister added.
Legal Debate Over Impeachment Procedure
Government sources clarified that, constitutionally, once an impeachment motion is admitted in either House, a committee of inquiry—comprising a Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and an eminent jurist—must be formed. This committee is to submit its report within three months.
However, there are two legal interpretations currently under discussion:
- One view asserts that a fresh committee is unnecessary, as a Supreme Court-mandated panel has already examined the matter.
- The other contends that the presiding officer of the concerned House retains the discretion to constitute the committee anew.
Comparison with Justice Shekhar Yadav Case Rejected
When questioned about the status of an earlier impeachment motion—sponsored by the Opposition—against Justice Shekhar Yadav, government sources maintained that the two cases are not equivalent. While the Justice Yadav case revolved around judicial remarks, the Varma case, they claim, involves allegations of corruption, necessitating a distinct approach.
Opposition Criticizes Early Session Announcement
Despite participating in initial outreach discussions, Opposition parties have sharply criticized the early announcement of the Monsoon Session dates—47 days in advance—claiming it is a tactic to dodge calls for a special session on Operation Sindoor.
“Normally the dates for a Parliament session are announced a few days in advance. Never have they been declared this early,” Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote on social media platform X.
Mr. Ramesh outlined a list of topics the Opposition wishes to discuss, including:
- Alleged politicisation of Operation Sindoor
- Revelations by the Chief of Defence Staff in Singapore
- Regional tensions involving Pakistan and China
- Foreign policy concerns and claims of Trump-led mediation
TMC Terms Delay as ‘Parliamentophobia’
TMC Parliamentary Party leader Derek O’Brien labeled the government’s move as “parliamentophobia,” claiming the long lead time reveals a reluctance to face scrutiny. “Parliamentophobia (noun): My word for the acute condition of a government who have a morbid fear of facing Parliament,” he wrote on X.
Speaking later to reporters, Mr. O’Brien recalled that in the past 11 years, the government had frequently called sessions with only 2–3 weeks’ notice and this is the first instance of a month-and-a-half long gap between the announcement and session start.
Conclusion
As Parliament gears up for its Monsoon Session from July 21 to August 12, political dynamics are already in motion. While the Centre seeks bipartisan support for Justice Varma’s impeachment motion, the Opposition is rallying to foreground Operation Sindoor and foreign policy concerns. Whether this session becomes a battleground or a consensus-building forum remains to be seen.
Stay with The Parliament News for continuous updates on this evolving story.
