New Delhi, Aug. 6: Members of the opposition staged a demonstration inside the Parliament House complex on Thursday, raising concerns over the alleged misappropriation of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and condemning the police action against students during recent protests.
Despite intermittent rain, MPs from several INDIA bloc parties gathered near the Makar Dwar carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding accountability from the Union government. Protesters also displayed a symbolic donation box to highlight their allegations regarding the handling of temple contributions.
Leaders from the Congress and the Samajwadi Party were among those participating in the demonstration, calling for a transparent inquiry into the reported donation controversy. They also criticised the authorities over the police response to student demonstrations held last week, alleging the use of excessive force.
Earlier in the day, floor leaders of INDIA bloc parties met in the Parliament complex under the chairmanship of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to coordinate their strategy for the ongoing session. The meeting resolved to continue pressing the government on both issues during parliamentary proceedings.
Samajwadi Party MPs also organised a separate protest, demanding an impartial investigation into the alleged irregularities related to temple donations and seeking greater transparency in the management of public contributions.
The coordinated protests added to the political confrontation that has marked the current Monsoon Session, with repeated disruptions affecting the functioning of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Opposition parties insisted that the government must respond to their demands before normal legislative business can resume.
The government has not accepted the opposition’s allegations, while parliamentary proceedings have continued to witness frequent adjournments amid persistent slogan-shouting and protests from members of the INDIA bloc.