Rijiju: Lok Sabha to Take Up Debates on Vande Mataram and Electoral Reforms First

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday clarified the government’s parliamentary strategy regarding upcoming discussions on Vande Mataram and electoral reforms. Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Rijiju said the Lok Sabha would take up both matters first before the government moves to propose similar discussions in the Rajya Sabha.

He underscored that procedural flexibility exists for initiating debates in either House, but the current decision is an administrative choice rather than a constitutional requirement. “After both the discussions are over, we will propose to take up in the Rajya Sabha. In any case, the discussion can be initiated in either of the Houses,” Rijiju noted.

Rijiju added that the government opted for the Lok Sabha to lead the deliberations this time, though both chambers share equal authority in parliamentary conduct. “We have decided that it will be taken up in Lok Sabha first. Otherwise, both Houses have the privilege to take up any matter,” he said.

Emphasising the bicameral structure’s balance, the minister said the functioning of the two Houses is complementary and central to democratic decision-making. “After all, it is complementary to each other, both Houses are extremely important,” he remarked.