Parliament Adjourned Amid SIR Protest, US Tariff Sparks Political Uproar
K N Mishra
31/Jul/2025

What’s Covered Under the Article:
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Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 PM after opposition protest over SIR and BJP policies, triggering political disruption in Parliament proceedings.
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Congress, SP, and INDIA bloc leaders slam US President Trump’s 25% tariff on Indian goods and criticize Modi’s foreign policy amid economic concerns.
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Rajya Sabha prepares to vote on the extension of President’s Rule in Manipur and pass key bills, including the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025.
The ninth day of the Parliament Monsoon Session witnessed intense political turmoil, as Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 PM on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The adjournment came just minutes after proceedings began, due to persistent disruptions by the Opposition MPs protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the alleged arrests of labourers in BJP-ruled states.
Outside the Parliament, the INDIA bloc, led by senior leaders including Sonia Gandhi, held a demonstration demanding answers from the central government. Their slogans and placards centred around alleged suppression of labour rights, and what they termed as politically motivated revisions under SIR.
Meanwhile, the session also became a battleground for international economic concerns. The recent 25% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods triggered an outpouring of criticism from several prominent Indian opposition leaders.
Political Reaction to US Tariff
Congress MP Rajiv Shukla condemned the move as a betrayal in the face of the “so-called friendship” between the US and India. He accused the Modi government of prioritising personal diplomacy over long-term national interests, saying, “Trump has slapped us economically while being called a friend. Indian businessmen will suffer immensely.”
Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka was even more scathing, directly blaming Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy for India’s international isolation. According to him, “PM Modi used to project himself as Vishwa Guru, but now Trump says India must buy oil from Pakistan. That’s a complete foreign policy failure.”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also added to the criticism, saying, “PM Modi goes everywhere and makes friends, but this is what India gets in return.”
Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav, echoing the concerns of economic backsliding, called this the beginning of “bad days” for Indian youth. “The government spoke of employment and trade, but with such tariffs, how will the economy thrive?”
Another SP MP, Ram Gopal Yadav, compared Trump’s behaviour to that of a monarch, saying, “Trump treats nations like he is a Raja, and everyone else is praja. India must rethink its approach towards international diplomacy.”
These statements reflect growing concerns within the opposition that the government has failed to safeguard India’s economic interests on the global stage. The tariff dispute also opens up a new front for criticism as the ruling party prepares for the next set of electoral battles.
Rajya Sabha to Vote on Manipur President’s Rule
While Lok Sabha struggled with adjournments, the Rajya Sabha is set to tackle significant legislation. The Union government, through Home Minister Amit Shah, will present a statutory resolution to extend President’s Rule in Manipur for an additional six months, effective from August 13, 2025.
The resolution seeks approval for the continuance of the Proclamation dated February 13, 2025, under Article 356 of the Constitution, citing law and order concerns in the northeastern state.
This move is likely to face stiff resistance from the opposition, which has already accused the BJP of ignoring the ethnic and communal tensions prevailing in Manipur for months. The government, however, defends the decision as a necessity to ensure peace and administrative stability.
Sea Bill, 2025 Introduced in Rajya Sabha
In addition to the Manipur vote, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, has been introduced in the Upper House by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
This bill, already cleared by the Lok Sabha, aims to lay down the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities of sea carriers in relation to goods transportation by sea. It replaces outdated legislations and brings India's maritime law in line with international practices.
The bill is expected to be passed smoothly, as the BJP enjoys numerical advantage in the Rajya Sabha, following its coordination efforts with NDA allies.
Opposition Unites on Multiple Fronts
The Opposition’s coordinated response over the SIR policy and the international trade fallout signals a new phase in the ongoing Monsoon Session. The INDIA bloc appears to be leveraging both domestic governance issues and foreign policy missteps to question the Modi government's leadership on all fronts.
A crucial meeting of INDIA bloc floor leaders was held at the office of the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha to chalk out the day's strategy. With senior leaders including Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra participating in the protests, the messaging was designed to show a united opposition ready to take on the government both inside and outside Parliament.
The SIR controversy, in particular, seems to have ignited concern among labour unions and workers’ organisations, many of whom allege that the revision is a means to target dissenters.
The BJP, for its part, maintains that the Special Intensive Revision is a procedural necessity aimed at data accuracy and electoral reforms. However, without a convincing public explanation or dialogue, the opposition has capitalised on this ambiguity.
International Ramifications: India–US Relations Under Stress
The 25% tariff by the US not only carries economic implications but also geopolitical ones. The fact that Trump referenced the India–Pakistan conflict, claiming he prevented war between the two, has reignited the debate around India's diplomatic independence.
The Modi government’s past reliance on showcasing foreign visits and summits as indicators of strong global leadership is now being questioned. Critics argue that PM Modi’s foreign policy approach has been more performative than strategic, leaving India vulnerable to economic shocks like this one.
Adding to the challenge is Trump’s increasing engagement with Pakistan, particularly on energy partnerships. According to some opposition leaders, this could mean a reshaping of South Asian energy and trade alliances, potentially leaving India isolated.
The Road Ahead
As the Parliament session progresses, several key issues are expected to dominate the discourse:
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The extension of President’s Rule in Manipur
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Fallout from the US-India tariff standoff
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Ongoing protests over Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
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Economic concerns over unemployment and inflation
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New legislation including the Sea Bill, 2025
With the Lok Sabha set to resume at 2 PM, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to mounting pressure, both domestic and international.
The BJP, bolstered by its majority and a loyal ally network, is expected to push forward with its legislative agenda. However, the opposition has signalled that it will not let issues like trade penalties, foreign policy failures, and internal administrative overreach go unchallenged.
In this high-stakes political environment, the Monsoon Session could turn into a defining moment for how both the ruling party and the opposition are perceived by the Indian public—especially with major elections approaching.
The convergence of domestic unrest, economic nationalism, and international diplomacy is shaping this session into one of the most turbulent in recent memory. How the government navigates this will likely influence both public sentiment and future political alignments.
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