0 months ago
Govt censoring content in Parliament, alleges RS member Menaka Guruswamy
An important leader in India's Parliament, Menaka Guruswamy, said the government is being unfair to opposition members.
She said when opposition members try to talk about things the government does not like, their microphones are switched off.
Parliament is a big meeting place where leaders make rules and laws for the whole country.
Guruswamy said everyone should be allowed to talk about important topics, like who gets to be a judge.
She thinks judges should include all kinds of people - women, people from different communities, and people of different religions.
The government wants to add more judges to the Supreme Court, but she said that will not fix the bigger problems.
The person leading the meeting asked her to talk only about that one law, and then her speech was cut short.
She also reminded everyone that the Supreme Court said the government promised to give back statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, but that has not happened yet.
She believes the government should listen to everyone, not just its own supporters.
Rajya Sabha member Menaka Guruswamy alleged the government is 'censoring content' in Parliament and switches off Opposition MPs' microphones.
She accused the government of 'destroying parliamentary democracy' by blocking issues such as Jammu and Kashmir statehood restoration and judicial appointments.
During debate on the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, she said adding four judges will not solve the judiciary's structural problems.
She cited figures showing women make up 14% of High Court judges and that 2018-2026 appointments were 3% Scheduled Caste, 2% Scheduled Tribe and 12% Other Backward Classes.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh repeatedly asked her to confine her remarks to the bill, and her speech was subsequently cut short.
- Who
- Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, with Deputy Chairman Harivansh presiding over the debate
- What
- Guruswamy alleged the government censors Opposition MPs in Parliament and criticised the lack of diversity in judicial appointments during debate on the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Where
- New Delhi, at and outside the Parliament of India (Rajya Sabha)
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- Why
- She said the government was 'destroying parliamentary democracy' by preventing the Opposition from raising issues such as Jammu and Kashmir statehood restoration, judicial appointments and bills before the House
Opposition (Menaka Guruswamy)
Treasury benches and Chair (as reported)
Free speech vs. procedure in Parliament
Opposition (Menaka Guruswamy)
The government and Speaker censor content; Opposition microphones are switched off whenever issues the treasury benches do not want to discuss are raised, which is destroying parliamentary democracy.
Treasury benches and Chair (as reported)
Deputy Chairman Harivansh repeatedly asked Guruswamy to confine her remarks to the provisions of the bill being debated, and her speech was subsequently cut short.
Purpose of the judges bill
Opposition (Menaka Guruswamy)
Merely increasing the number of Supreme Court judges by four will not solve the judiciary's structural problems, including the lack of women, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, religious minority and LGBTQ judges.
Treasury benches and Chair (as reported)
The debate should be limited to the provisions of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, rather than broader judicial issues.
Key facts
- Allegation
- Government censors content and switches off Opposition MPs' microphones in Parliament
- Date
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- Place
- New Delhi, India (Parliament of India)
- Bill debated
- Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Women in High Court
- 14% of High Court judges
- SC/ST/OBC appointments 2018-2026
- 3% Scheduled Caste, 2% Scheduled Tribe, 12% Other Backward Classes
- Other grievance
- No sign of Jammu and Kashmir statehood restoration two years after the Supreme Court verdict
- Outcome of speech
- Cut short after Deputy Chairman Harivansh asked her to confine remarks to the bill
Quotes
Menaka Guruswamy
Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate
“"You censor. You switch off mics when we say something that you don’t like. We are the Opposition of India. It is our job to oppose you, to raise issues that need to be raised… Parliament of India, which is a people’s institution paid for by the people, is being reduced to rubble."”
theprint.in
“"You don’t appoint Scheduled Caste judges, you don’t appoint Scheduled Tribe judges, you don’t appoint women, you don’t appoint gay people, you only appoint people who subscribe to your ideology."”
theprint.in







