New Delhi
Opposition parties of the INDIA bloc stepped up their offensive against the Centre on Thursday, holding a coordinated protest at Makar Dwar in the Parliament complex and demanding that union Home Minister Amit Shah respond to allegations of financial irregularities in Ram Mandir donations and the alleged police excesses against students protesting examination-related issues.
The demonstration saw the participation of Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, members of the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress and other INDIA bloc constituents. Gathering near Makar Dwar, the opposition MPs raised slogans seeking the Home Minister's presence in Parliament and accused the government of evading accountability on issues they described as matters of national concern.
Holding placards and chanting slogans such as "Amit Shah jawaab do" and "Grih Mantri sadan mein aao," the protesting lawmakers said Parliament was the appropriate forum for the government to answer questions relating to the alleged misuse of public donations collected for the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya and the alleged police action against students.
Speaking to reporters during the protest, opposition leaders alleged that the Centre had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding accusations of financial irregularities involving donations made by devotees for the Ram Mandir project. They maintained that the allegations warranted a transparent probe and a detailed statement from the government.
"The people who contributed to the Ram Mandir fund did so with faith and devotion. Any allegation regarding the misuse of those donations must be addressed transparently. The government cannot remain silent on such serious questions," an opposition leader said.
The INDIA bloc also renewed its attack on the government over the alleged police action against students who had staged protests on July 20 over paper leak controversies and other examination-related issues. Opposition leaders alleged that security forces resorted to excessive force, including the use of pellet guns, against peaceful demonstrators and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
"The students of this country were raising legitimate concerns about their future and the integrity of examinations. Instead of listening to them, they were allegedly met with brutal force. Those responsible must be held accountable and the government must explain what happened," another opposition leader said.
The twin issues of alleged financial irregularities in Ram Mandir donations and the police response to student protests have emerged as major flashpoints during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Opposition parties have repeatedly sought discussions on both matters inside and outside the two Houses, accusing the government of avoiding a substantive debate.
As proceedings continued to witness repeated disruptions, opposition MPs asserted that they would persist with their protests until the government responded to their demands. Thursday's demonstration at Makar Dwar marked another coordinated effort by the INDIA bloc to increase pressure on the Centre over the allegations concerning Ram Mandir donations and the handling of student protests.
The Monsoon Session has been marked by frequent confrontations between the treasury and opposition benches over examination-related controversies, the alleged misuse of Ram Mandir donations and demands for greater ministerial accountability. With neither side showing signs of relenting, the issues are expected to continue dominating parliamentary proceedings in the coming days.
000
