The opening day of the Winter Session in Parliament on Monday took an unexpected turn when Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury arrived with her pet dog. The sight of a dog inside the high-security Parliament complex quickly attracted attention and sparked a debate across political circles and social media.

When reporters questioned her decision, Chowdhury dismissed the concerns. She said her dog was tiny, harmless, and not a threat to anyone. She also made a sharp remark, saying, “If there’s anyone to worry about biting, it’s not the dog, it’s some people in Parliament.” She repeated that the matter was being blown out of proportion and that her pet had done nothing wrong.

However, BJP leaders strongly criticised her for bringing a pet into Parliament. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said that Chowdhury’s act was a misuse of the privileges given to Members of Parliament. He said that special privileges do not allow MPs to ignore rules or bring personal pets into the Parliament building. He demanded action and said such behaviour affects the dignity and discipline of the institution.

Meanwhile, apart from this unusual incident, Parliament officially began its Winter Session. The session will run from December 2 to December 19, with 15 sittings planned across 19 days. The government has listed 13 new bills for introduction. Some of the major bills include the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, which aims to replace bodies like the UGC, the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, and the National Highways (Amendment) Bill.

In the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to introduce the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill and the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025. The Opposition is preparing to raise several issues during the session, including the ongoing SIR, economic inequality, the recent Delhi blast, pollution levels, and foreign policy matters. The government is also expected to hold a discussion to mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the national song.