New Delhi, 22 July (H.S.): Opposition MPs on Wednesday arrived in Parliament wearing black outfits as part of a symbolic protest against the government, accusing it of mishandling student concerns, examination-related issues and the alleged use of force during recent demonstrations.

Members of the Congress, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress joined the protest, presenting a united opposition front and demanding accountability over the police action during earlier agitations.

Congress MP K. Suresh said the black attire represented their protest against what he termed “excessive action” by security personnel against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other MPs during a demonstration near Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday.

RJD MP Sanjay Yadav also targeted the government, alleging that irregularities in recruitment examinations and rising unemployment had created serious concerns among young people. He claimed that students seeking transparency were facing restrictions instead of receiving effective solutions.

The protest comes a day after Congress leaders and workers held demonstrations in several parts of the country over the detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders in Delhi. Party workers also raised objections over the police response during the recent ‘Sansad Chalo’ march organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

Earlier, opposition leaders had marched towards Lok Kalyan Marg demanding action over alleged examination irregularities, accountability for police conduct and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other leaders were detained during the protest and later released. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, K.C. Venugopal and Pawan Khera, along with Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, were among those who participated.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar