New Delhi, 12 August (H.S.): Parliament witnessed another stormy day on Wednesday as the government and Opposition remained locked in a confrontation over several contentious issues, including alleged police action against protesting students, the Ram Temple donations controversy and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition sloganeering over the alleged police action against NEET protesters in Delhi. Speaker Om Birla urged MPs to maintain the dignity of the House and said protests and slogans should not damage Parliament's image. He stressed that despite differences in political views, the country expected Parliament to function.

In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition wanted the FCRA Bill to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). He indicated that the Opposition would continue pressing its demand amid the ongoing deadlock.

Opposition MPs also planned a protest at Makar Dwar over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's proposed statement and the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in donations and valuables at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on alleged theft, misappropriation and improper handling of temple donations and valuables. He called for greater transparency in security arrangements, cash-counting procedures, audits and inventory management at major religious institutions.

Tagore also sought details about investigations into the alleged irregularities and the measures being considered to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Separately, Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the framework of a proposed new Anti-Defection Law. He called for measures to curb politically motivated mass defections while ensuring that legitimate and critical dissent remains protected within Parliament and state legislatures.

The Opposition also continued to raise allegations concerning police action against student protesters in Jharkhand and Delhi. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticised the government and argued that multiple issues should be discussed in the House rather than being taken up separately.

Meanwhile, NDA MPs accused the Opposition of deliberately disrupting parliamentary proceedings. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to participate in debates, while BJP MP Sambit Patra alleged that the Opposition had repeatedly changed its demands and was preventing Parliament from functioning.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also criticised the Opposition, alleging that repeated disruptions were wasting public money and preventing substantive parliamentary business.

The Jharkhand student agitation has emerged as another major political flashpoint. Recruitment-exam aspirants in Ranchi have been protesting over alleged irregularities and demanding greater transparency and accountability. The situation became tense after protesters attempted to march towards the state Assembly , prompting police to use force to disperse them.

With protests, adjournment motions and sharp exchanges dominating proceedings, the Monsoon Session continued to face a major government-Opposition standoff. Both sides remained firm on their respective demands, leaving several issues awaiting detailed discussion in the Houses.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar