Opposition, NDA MPs stage rival protests outside Indian Parliament

Opposition and ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) lawmakers staged rival protests outside India's Parliament on Tuesday, with the Opposition demanding answers from Home Minister Amit Shah over police action against student protesters and seeking a discussion on alleged irregularities involving donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The two groups protested outside Makar Dwar, one of the main gates of the Parliament building. Security personnel stood between them as lawmakers from both sides raised slogans against each other.

The Opposition wants Shah to appear in Parliament and explain the police crackdown on students in Delhi. It also wants a discussion on allegations of embezzlement involving donations collected for the Ram Temple.

The NDA lawmakers, meanwhile, accused Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of avoiding discussions and practising double standards. They pointed to a recent police crackdown on protesting students in Jharkhand, where Congress is a junior partner in the state government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

The counter-protest came a day after the government offered to allow Shah to respond to the Opposition's concerns in Parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Shah was ready to answer the Opposition's questions if the House was allowed to function without disruptions.

Rahul Gandhi, however, said the Opposition was not interested in hearing Shah's "opinion" and wanted clear answers about who was responsible for the police action against students.

The Lok Sabha remained adjourned amid continued disruptions, with several days of the Monsoon Session passing without significant legislative business.

As the session entered its final week, Speaker Om Birla urged lawmakers to cooperate.

"The government has stated that the Home Minister is ready to respond. The government has agreed to your main demand, and other issues will also be discussed. Please cooperate," he said.

During the protest, BJP MP Mukesh Dalal raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi as Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived at Parliament.

"Sharm karo, sharm karo, Rahul Gandhi, sharm karo," Dalal shouted.

Priyanka Gandhi responded that Rahul Gandhi had already met protesting students in Jharkhand.

"Go to Jharkhand. Why have you not gone to Jharkhand?" Dalal replied as she walked away and joined the Opposition MPs.

Speaking to reporters, Priyanka Gandhi said the Opposition's protest had forced ruling party lawmakers to take to the streets.

"This is the first time we have seen government MPs staging a protest. We have compelled them to this extent. Now, let them come forward and make a statement," she said.

Dispute over Jharkhand student protests
Jharkhand Police recently used batons and water cannons to disperse students during a march to the state assembly in Ranchi. The protesters included candidates preparing for Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission examinations.

The students were protesting alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC-Combined Graduate Level examinations.

BJP lawmakers carried banners saying Rahul Gandhi should answer for the use of force against students in Jharkhand.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur criticised Gandhi and called for justice for the protesting students.

"The way they were subjected to lathi-charges and atrocities reveals the mindset of Rahul Gandhi," Thakur said.

He also accused Gandhi and Congress of demanding answers from the Union Home Minister while disrupting Parliament and preventing the House from functioning.

"The Home Minister is ready to provide answers, but Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are peddling lies and making reckless statements merely to stay in the headlines," Thakur said.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore, meanwhile, demanded that Shah appear in the Lok Sabha and answer questions about police action against students during a July 20 rally at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Tagore alleged that Shah was present in the Parliament complex but was avoiding the proceedings.

He rejected the BJP's attempt to link Rahul Gandhi to the Jharkhand police action, saying responsibility lies with the government in charge of the respective jurisdiction.

"The Jharkhand government is responsible for what happened in Jharkhand; Rahul Gandhi is neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Minister there. Amit Shah, the Home Minister, is responsible for what happens in Delhi, as the Delhi Police falls under his jurisdiction," Tagore said.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier criticised the use of force against students in Jharkhand.

"The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions," he said, urging the state government to hear the students and resolve their grievances.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also accused the government of avoiding a debate in Parliament.

He said issues involving education, examinations and the Ram Temple should be discussed and argued that dialogue was the only way forward in dealing with the student protests in Jharkhand.

Yadav said the Jharkhand government had already expressed willingness to engage with the protesting students and should continue talks with them.