9 December 2025 : The Winter Session of Parliament 2025 continued on Day 7 with heightened attention on debates in both houses, particularly in the Rajya Sabha. A significant development came when portions of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech were expunged, stirring discussions about parliamentary procedure, freedom of speech, and decorum.
What Happened in Rajya Sabha
During a heated debate in the upper house, Kharge was delivering his speech on matters concerning governance, policy, and current affairs. Certain statements made by him were challenged by ruling party members as being controversial or unparliamentary. Following procedural norms, the Chair of the Rajya Sabha decided to expunge portions of the speech, ensuring the official record does not reflect the contentious remarks.
Sources in the House mentioned that the decision to expunge was in line with parliamentary rules under Rule 255, which allows the Chair to remove remarks considered unparliamentary or defamatory.
Reactions from Parliamentarians
- Congress Party: Party members expressed concern over the move, calling it an attempt to suppress opposition voices. Kharge himself stated,
“While we respect the procedures, the expunging of our legitimate concerns is regrettable. Parliament is meant for debate and accountability.” - Ruling Party Members: Lawmakers defending the Chair’s decision argued that maintaining decorum and avoiding inflammatory statements is essential for smooth functioning of parliamentary proceedings.
The incident sparked intense discussions both inside the House and on social media, with debates on freedom of speech versus parliamentary decorum taking center stage.
Highlights of Day 7 Winter Session
Apart from the expunging incident, several key topics were discussed during the day:
- Policy Debates: Members debated ongoing government policies, budget allocations, and social welfare schemes.
- Legislative Discussions: Bills concerning economic reforms, agriculture, and digital governance were tabled and scrutinized.
- Question Hour: Various ministers answered questions regarding national security, inflation, and infrastructure projects.
- Opposition Voices: The Opposition focused on public grievances, governance issues, and accountability, often resulting in prolonged discussions.
Experts note that such incidents, while rare, are part of the checks and balances in parliamentary procedure, ensuring that debates remain civil and within the bounds of law and decorum.
Social Media and Public Reaction
News of portions of Kharge’s speech being expunged quickly spread on social media platforms. Supporters of the Congress party criticized the move as restrictive and politically motivated, while other commentators highlighted the importance of maintaining parliamentary decorum.
Political analysts emphasized that the incident is symbolic of the tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition, especially in high-stakes Winter Sessions. The expunging of speeches is often interpreted as a mechanism to prevent official records from containing potentially defamatory or inflammatory content.
Parliamentary Procedure Explained
- Rule 255 of Rajya Sabha allows the Chair to expunge remarks that are deemed unparliamentary.
- The process ensures that the official record of proceedings remains accurate and free of statements that may incite controversy or defamation.
- Both Houses of Parliament — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — have similar provisions to maintain order, decorum, and legal propriety.
Legal and parliamentary experts state that while such measures can curb offensive remarks, they are occasionally perceived as stifling legitimate political debate, highlighting the delicate balance between freedom of speech and procedural discipline.
Looking Ahead
With the Winter Session still ongoing, lawmakers are expected to:
- Continue discussions on critical bills and policies
- Address matters related to economic growth, public welfare, and governance reforms
- Engage in debates that may once again test the limits of parliamentary protocol
The expunging of Kharge’s remarks is likely to remain a talking point in the political discourse, reflecting the ongoing tussle between the government and opposition in Parliament.
Summary
During Day 7 of the Winter Session, portions of Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech were expunged from Rajya Sabha. The move sparked debate on parliamentary procedure, decorum, and opposition-government tensions.