Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) gathered in the Parliament House complex on Tuesday to protest against the alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. They also condemned police actions against student demonstrators in recent protests. Leading figures from the Congress party, including General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, joined the call for accountability from the government.
The MPs carried placards and raised slogans such as ‘chhanda chor, gaddi chor’ and ‘Amit Shah jawaab do’ outside the Makar Dwar of Parliament. This protest signified their united stand against what they describe as governmental misconduct and negligence.
To symbolize the alleged theft, the MPs displayed donation boxes at the protest site. They surrounded these boxes, chanting slogans while some MPs even inserted cash into them to signify the donations that they claimed were misappropriated. This act also served as a call to action for government accountability regarding the funds meant for the temple.
Aside from Priyanka Gandhi, notable participants included SP leaders Dimple Yadav and Dharmendra Yadav, TMC’s Sagarika Ghose, RJD’s Sanjay Yadav and Manoj Jha, and RSP’s NK Premchandran. Together, they stood behind a large banner reading ‘Why Amit Shah absent from Parliament’, highlighting their frustration with the Home Minister’s lack of engagement on critical issues.
The collective effort reflects the determination of the INDIA bloc to hold the government accountable for both the alleged donation theft linked to the Ram temple and the perceived police brutality against student protestors last week. They intend to corner the government on these pressing matters.
Leaders from various opposition parties convened in the chamber of Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, to strategize next steps concerning the issues of ‘chhanda chori’ and the alleged use of excessive force against students. They aim to pressure the ruling party into addressing these urgent concerns.
As the protests unfolded, many MPs expressed their concerns over the erosion of democratic engagement and the need for transparency regarding the Ram temple donations, which some claim have suffered from inadequate oversight. The INDIA bloc emphasizes the importance of ensuring that funds meant for religious and cultural purposes are handled responsibly and accountably.
This protest signals the rising discontent among opposition members regarding government actions. It underscores a critical moment in Indian politics as various groups mobilize to address issues affecting students and accountability in financial matters relating to religious institutions.
