New Delhi, 03 August (H.S.): Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were disrupted once again on Monday as Opposition members staged protests over the alleged theft of offerings at the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the police action against protesting students at Jantar Mantar. Amid persistent sloganeering, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 12:00 noon, while the Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2:00 p.m.

On the 11th day of the Monsoon Session, Opposition MPs began raising slogans against the government on various issues immediately after the Lok Sabha convened. Speaker Om Birla urged the members to allow the Question Hour to proceed and advised them to raise their concerns in accordance with parliamentary rules. However, the protesting members continued their demonstrations despite repeated appeals. As the uproar showed no signs of subsiding, the Speaker adjourned the House until 12:00 noon.

Meanwhile, similar scenes unfolded in the Rajya Sabha, where Opposition members entered the Well of the House and raised slogans over the same issues. The disruption prevented normal proceedings, compelling Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh to adjourn the House until 2:00 p.m.

Later, Congress, Samajwadi Party, and other Opposition MPs staged a protest within the Parliament complex against the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple and the police action against students. Gathering near Makar Dwar, the protesting MPs raised slogans demanding answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The demonstration was attended by Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, and several other Opposition leaders.

The alleged attack on Purnia MP Pappu Yadav during a press conference at his New Delhi residence on Sunday also echoed in Parliament. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav raised concerns over the MP's security and urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to take cognisance of the matter. The Opposition maintained that ensuring the security of Members of Parliament is the government's responsibility.

BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal submitted a notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking privilege proceedings and action for alleged contempt of the House against Pappu Yadav. He alleged that during the protest in the Parliament complex on July 31 over the Ram Temple offering controversy, Pappu Yadav had hurt the dignity of the House as well as religious sentiments, and therefore appropriate action should be initiated against him.

Before Parliament convened, floor leaders of Opposition parties held a strategy meeting in the chamber of Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. The meeting was attended by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and senior leaders of various Opposition parties, who discussed their strategy for the day's proceedings.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadauria told reporters outside Parliament that the BJP could not evade responsibility in the Ram Temple offering controversy and would have to answer questions on the issue. CPI(M) MP John Brittas also condemned the alleged attack on Pappu Yadav, stating that such an incident involving a Member of Parliament was against democratic values and that violence could never be a response to dissent.

The government has listed eight Bills for consideration during the current session of Parliament. Of these, the Vande Mataram Bill and the Public Examinations (Amendment) Bill have already been passed by both Houses. The government is also expected to introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill (FCRA Amendment Bill) in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Notably, on July 31, Opposition MPs had staged a symbolic protest inside the Parliament complex over the Ram Temple offering controversy. During the demonstration, Pappu Yadav appeared dressed as a priest carrying a donation box, while Opposition MPs used symbolic theatrical expressions to highlight the alleged theft of temple offerings. The protest subsequently drew strong objections from members of the saint community and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar