Opposition Protests in Parliament Over Ram Temple Donations and Police Actions

Protests Erupt in Parliament

New Delhi, Aug 3: On Monday, members of the opposition, spearheaded by the INDIA coalition, organized a demonstration within the Parliament House complex. This protest was in response to allegations regarding the misappropriation of donations intended for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, as well as reported police misconduct against students protesting the NEET paper leak.

The two pressing issues led to significant disruptions, resulting in multiple adjournments in both Houses of Parliament.

Gathering at Makar Dwar, the MPs chanted slogans such as "Chhanda chor, gaddi chor" and "Amit Shah sadan mein aao", urging Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address the accusations of police brutality during student protests and the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of temple donations.

In a symbolic act, the opposition members set up donation boxes at the protest site, with some participants placing cash inside to symbolize the offerings made by devotees, while accusing the ruling party of permitting the alleged misappropriation of these funds.

They stood behind a prominent banner that read, "Why is Amit Shah absent from Parliament?"

Notable figures in attendance included Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party MPs Dimple Yadav and Dharmendra Yadav, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Mahua Maji, and RSP MP N.K. Premachandran.

K.C. Venugopal, Congress general secretary (organisation), criticized the government for its silence on both matters.

"As we enter the third week of this Parliament session, we still await Amit Shah's response to the brutal assault on peaceful protesters," Venugopal stated in a social media update.

He further claimed that the government has been silent regarding the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple to protect those involved, asserting that the opposition would persist with its protests both inside and outside Parliament until accountability is achieved.

The INDIA coalition has pledged to escalate its efforts concerning the alleged theft of Ram temple donations and the police actions against protesting students.

Last Friday, opposition members performed a skit in the Parliament complex using donation boxes to illustrate their claims, which drew sharp criticism from the BJP and various Hindu organizations, labeling the protest as an affront to Sanatan Dharma.

Earlier on Monday, leaders from the INDIA bloc convened in Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge's office to strategize for the week ahead.

The protests extended into both Houses of Parliament, leading to the adjournment of Rajya Sabha proceedings until 2 pm as opposition members insisted on Amit Shah's presence to address the allegations of police misconduct and the Ram temple donation issue.

In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla commended Indian athletes for their achievements at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games before attempting to initiate Question Hour. However, opposition MPs continued their protests, prompting Birla to question their intentions, leading to the adjournment of the session until noon.