NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Bankersâ Books Evidence Bill â replacing a British-era law â without discussion amid opposition protests and sloganeering on multiple issues, as members refused to heed the chairâs call to debate the legislation.

The government accused the opposition of disrupting proceedings. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju accused Congress, Left parties and SP of being against Lord Ram and demanded they apologise to the nation. Referring to the oppositionâs skit in Parliament, he said it had âsaddenedâ the government and claimed these parties had opposed Ram temple construction by wearing black bands.

Moved by finance minister

Nirmala Sitharaman, the bill seeks to align the law with contemporary digital banking practices by recognising digital and virtual records as admissible evidence in courts. Replacing the Bankersâ Books Evidence Act, 1891, it expands the definition of âbankersâ booksâ to include records maintained in physical, digital, virtual, cloud-based or any other form.

Protests disrupted Question Hour, forcing an adjournment till 2pm. The bill was passed by voice vote before the Lok Sabha was adjourned.