Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday submitted a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha, seeking suspension of business to discuss the "serious public health crisis caused by toxic air pollution in Delhi." The Rajya Sabha held a special debate marking the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram,' during which Union Home Minister Amit Shah and opposition leaders, including Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge, exchanged sharp remarks. The opposition had earlier criticized the debate, claiming it was politically timed ahead of the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections. Shah, however, rejected these claims, emphasizing the national song's significance and saying critics "need to rethink" its legacy.

Shah noted that some opposition MPs were linking the discussion to electoral politics in West Bengal, but he urged them to reconsider this view. Meanwhile, Kharge criticized the BJP, alleging that the party's ideological predecessors worked for the British during India’s freedom struggle, while Congress leaders were jailed in 1921 chanting 'Vande Mataram.'

In the Lok Sabha, discussions continued on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by the Election Commission of India (ECI), initiated on the eighth day of the Winter Session. Senior Congress MP Manish Tewari opened the debate, followed by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who accused the EC of collaborating with the BJP to manipulate elections, calling vote tampering "anti-national." Other senior Congress MPs, including KC Venugopal, Varsha Gaikwad, Mohammed Javaid, and Imran Masood, were also scheduled to participate. The combined discussions in both Houses have been allotted 10 hours.

The Rajya Sabha will also discuss electoral reforms following the Vande Mataram debate on Wednesday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah expected to lead the SIR discussion. Opposition parties have been pressing for a debate on SIR for months, with Congress raising concerns over voter list discrepancies. The 6th Session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the 269th Session of the Rajya Sabha began on December 1, marking the Winter Session of Parliament, which is scheduled to conclude on December 19.