Jaipur: Rajasthan Assembly’s monsoon session commenced Thursday amid chaos as Congress MLAs protested recent restrictions announced on media access and the entry of ‘outsiders’ into govt schools. With Congress members away, House proceedings lasted a mere 21 minutes before Speaker Vasudev Devnani adjourned the assembly for the day, following tributes to deceased former members.Earlier, the assembly business advisory committee outlined a schedule for Friday, which will include Question Hour, Zero Hour and the introduction of Uniform Civil Code Bill. However, it is expected that the assembly will be adjourned until Nov after Friday’s proceedings, reconvening only after the results of the panchayat elections.
Sachin Pilot sitting on chair as Congress party protested against the alledged dilapidated state of the education system, corruption, and mismanagement under the BJP government and staged dharna outsite Rajasthan Assembly in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 20 August 2026
The absence of Congress MLAs drew sharp criticism from the ruling BJP. Chief whip Jogeshwar Garg said, “Congress’s conduct reflects its attitude towards nation, democracy, and motherland. Congress now values power more than the country.”Additionally, minister of state for home Jawahar Singh Bedham accused the opposition of avoiding assembly proceedings to escape the obligation of singing ‘Vande Mataram’. He said, “Congress is practicing appeasement politics to please a particular section.”
Few Congress MLAs climbed on the entrance gate at Assembly during their protest against the govt in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 20 August 2026
Despite the lack of Congress participation, the state govt introduced two significant bills during the truncated proceedings. Deputy chief minister Prem Chand Bairwa presented the Geetanjali Global University Jaipur Bill, while law minister Jogaram Patel introduced Rajasthan Tree Conservation Bill. Garg emphasised the importance of preserving Rajasthan’s environment, saying, “Protecting khejri and other trees is an important step towards preserving Rajasthan’s environment and cultural heritage. Congress should join the discussion in the House and offer suggestions.”Before the commencement of the session, Congress MLAs, led by leader of opposition Tika Ram Jully, marched from Poddar School for Deaf and Dumb to the assembly, protesting against the tightening of media controls in govt schools. Police barricades impeded their entry, resulting in confrontations where several MLAs climbed over barricades. Subsequently, they held a sit-in outside the assembly gates, demanding the resignation of school education minister Madan Dilawar and alleging that the state restricted media access to obscure the deteriorating conditions in govt schools.Congress’ Govind Singh Dotasra said, “We were not allowed to enter the assembly; Gate no. 6 was locked. We wanted to raise several issues, including corruption in education sector and the state of healthcare.” Jully concurred, calling the blockade a serious violation, saying, “Police cannot stop elected legislators from reaching the assembly. Congress would submit a privilege motion to the Speaker against both the govt and the police.”Amid these protests, Congress highlighted the contentious issues within the education system, claiming that 3,768 schools were declared dilapidated without undertaking any repairs.
