FM Sitharaman objects to ‘Lynch’ remark during Budget Session in RS

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday witnessed heated exchanges during the Budget Session after Union Minister J.P. Nadda accused the Congress of disrupting parliamentary proceedings and allowing itself to be “held hostage to a naïve child”, an apparent swipe at Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.The confrontation came against the backdrop of repeated disruptions in Parliament and the controversy over the cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled address in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. PM Modi is expected to address the Rajya Sabha later in the day.
Speaking in the Upper House, Nadda blamed the Opposition for stalling proceedings and rejected allegations that democratic functioning was under threat. “You did not let the House function. I strongly condemn the allegation that democracy is in danger,” he said, while urging the Congress to conduct its internal affairs in a more democratic manner.
Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge responded sharply, accusing the government of suppressing debate and not allowing Opposition voices to be heard, particularly in the Lok Sabha. Emphasising that Parliament consists of both Houses, Kharge questioned why issues of national importance could not be raised freely. “How can you run the House like this?” he asked.At one point, remarks made by Kharge were expunged from the official record by the Chair, further fuelling tensions in the House.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju then intervened, calling on all MPs to respect the rules and traditions of Parliament. “Members across parties are waiting to hear the Prime Minister’s address. If the Congress does not wish to listen, that is its choice, but others do,” Rijiju said, accusing the Congress leadership of not following parliamentary norms and disrupting the House.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman subsequently objected to Kharge’s use of the word “lynch” during the debate, demanding that it be removed from the proceedings. “I want the word ‘lynch’ removed. The honourable Leader of the Opposition is not right in using that word,” she said.Sitharaman also recalled incidents of violence during Congress rule, referring to past cases including a controversial incident in Kerala in which a teacher’s hands were chopped off, and questioned the action taken by the then Congress government.

VIDEO | Budget Session: "I want word 'lynch' removed, honourable Leader of Opposition (Kharge) is not right in using that word," Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha.

(Source: Third Party)

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/mBjcu2431Z

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 5, 2026

As the exchange escalated, Congress members staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha.The developments in the Upper House came amid ongoing protests in the Lok Sabha, where the Congress has alleged that Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to complete his speech during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, contributing to the disruptions that have marked the Budget Session of Parliament.