The Monsoon Session of Parliament is reportedly not going to have a Question Hour this year. Also, Private Members' business will not be there. Scheduled to begin September 14, the 'no Question Hour rule' has started riling up the Opposition.

Taking to Twitter, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the decision is undemocratic. "I said four months ago that strongmen leaders would use the excuse of the pandemic to stifle democracy and dissent. The notification for the delayed Parliament session blandly announces there will be no Question Hour. How can this be justified in the name of keeping us safe? Questioning the government is the oxygen of parliamentary democracy," the Kerala politician added.

He opined that the Modi government is seeking to reduce the Parliament to a notice-board.

Former leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wrote, "If this is true, it is not just a violation of a member’s right, but it also means that the government is uncomfortable answering questions on their governance. The government is answerable to people and any move to cancel the Question Hour reflects the autocratic mindset of the government."

Meanwhile, MPs have been asked to get themselves tested for Covid-19 72 hours before the commencement of the session. The Monsoon Session will have no break even on the weekends and will conclude only on October 1.