Monsoon session 2023 | From Uniform Civil Code to Manipur unrest: what to expect

The Modi govt plans to introduce 21 new bills in the Monsoon session that will be held from July 20 to August 11. It is supposed to start in the Old Parliament building and then move to the new complex, making it the first session to be held in the new Parliament. 

One of the new bills included in the tentative list of business for the Monsoon session is the Data Protection Bill. A draft of the bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on July 5. 

Aimed at protecting offline and online data of Indians, if passed the law will enable govt to penalise organisations violating the rules. While the bill is being appreciated for strong steps to protect data privacy, critics say it gives the govt broad powers. The bill has also ruffled the feathers of several social media platforms. 

The govt is also expected to bring in a bill to replace the controversial Delhi Ordinance that gave the Lieutenant Governor authority over the capital's bureaucrats. The bill is likely to face resistance on the heels of a new alliance formed by the opposition parties of which AAP is a member. 

According to reports, the government may also bring in a bill on the Uniform Civil Code in the Monsoon session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated BJP's commitment of introducing a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens at a rally in election-bound Madhya Pradesh on June 27. 

The ethnic violence in Manipur is also likely to be discussed in the Monsoon session with the Centre saying it is willing to discuss every issue permitted under the rules. The Congress has said its demand for a discussion on Manipur is non-negotiable.