New Delhi, 11 August (H.S.): Members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) staged a protest in the Parliament complex on Tuesday against the alleged police action against protesting students in Jharkhand. The ruling alliance also accused the Opposition and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of avoiding a discussion in Parliament and repeatedly creating disruptions by shifting their demands.

During the protest, NDA MPs alleged that police used lathis, tear gas and water cannons against students and demanded accountability over the action. NDA leaders accused the Opposition of politicising the issue and deliberately avoiding a discussion on it in Parliament.

Following the NDA parliamentary party's weekly meeting on Tuesday, the MPs marched towards the Makar Dwar of Parliament carrying banners and raising slogans. One of the banners read, Rahul Gandhi, answer for the atrocities against students in Jharkhand. The MPs also raised slogans such as, Rahul Gandhi, discuss the issue, don't run away.

BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Rahul Gandhi should withdraw the Congress party's support from the government in Jharkhand over the issue and take responsibility for the alleged lathi charge on students. He also accused Gandhi of repeatedly changing the issue.

Patra said the government was ready to hold a discussion in Parliament on the concerns of the students and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was prepared to make a statement. However, he alleged that Rahul Gandhi did not want the House to function.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that Devendra Nath Mahto, who was observing a hunger strike, was allegedly assaulted. He also questioned the conduct of an official posted in Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Anurag Thakur said justice should be ensured for the students. He accused the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of politicising the issue concerning the students and avoiding a discussion in Parliament.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP and Union Minister Chirag Paswan accused the Opposition of repeatedly disrupting parliamentary proceedings and changing its demands. He said the government was ready to discuss every issue, but alleged that the Opposition continued to shift its demands.

The protest came amid an ongoing political standoff between the government and the Opposition over the handling of student protests, with repeated disruptions continuing to affect proceedings during the Monsoon Session.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar