Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill Passed Amid Lok Sabha Protests
Lawmakers in India's Lok Sabha, one of the two houses of Parliament, meet to discuss and vote on new laws, called bills.
On Wednesday, a bill about mines and minerals was passed without any discussion because there was too much noise in the hall.
A group of lawmakers called the Opposition was upset about a different bill.
They wanted the government to completely take back the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026.
To show they were unhappy, they stood in the middle of the hall and kept protesting.
The government agreed to send that bill to a special committee of lawmakers to study it more carefully.
The committee has 31 members and must give its report by the start of the Winter Session 2026.
The person in charge of the meeting asked the protesters to go back to their seats, but they did not listen.
Because of all the noise, the meeting was ended for the day.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 was passed in the Lok Sabha without debate on Wednesday.
Opposition MPs protesting in the Well of the House caused the proceedings to be adjourned for the day.
The Lok Sabha accepted the government's resolution to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
The JPC will consist of 21 Lok Sabha MPs and 10 Rajya Sabha members, with a report due by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session 2026.
The Opposition was demanding complete withdrawal of the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026, while the government said it was ready to discuss the NEET students' protest issues.
- Who
- Lok Sabha MPs, including Opposition members who protested, with Jagdambika Pal in the Chair, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Speaker Om Birla.
- What
- The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 was passed without debate, and the House was adjourned amid Opposition protests.
- When
- Wednesday (during the 2026 parliamentary session).
- Where
- New Delhi, in the Lok Sabha.
- Why
- Opposition MPs were demanding complete withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 and continued protesting in the Well of the House.
Opposition MPs
Government
Handling of the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026
Opposition MPs
The Bill should be completely withdrawn; MPs continued to protest in the Well of the House as proceedings went on.
Government
Referring the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee is a 'score for the Opposition' and reflects a legitimate process.
Discussion on students' protests
Opposition MPs
Opposition MPs kept protesting in the Well instead of returning to their seats to enable proceedings.
Government
The government and 80 per cent of the House were ready to start a discussion on the NEET students' protest right away.
- Bill passed
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026
- How it was passed
- Without debate, amid Opposition protests
- FCRA Amendment Bill 2026
- Referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee
- JPC composition
- 21 Lok Sabha MPs and 10 Rajya Sabha members
- JPC report deadline
- Last day of the first week of the Winter Session 2026
- House outcome
- Adjourned for the day
- Key Opposition demand
- Complete withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026
- Location
- New Delhi, Lok Sabha