New Delhi: Ruling NDA MPs on Tuesday staged a protest outside Parliament over the alleged police crackdown on job aspirants in Jharkhand, while also targeting
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his refusal to participate in a proposed debate on student protests. The NDA MPs marched from the Parliament Library towards Makar Dwar, raising slogans including “Rahul Gandhi Jawab Do” and “Rahul Gandhi Bhago Maat”. The protest came a day after the government announced that Home Minister Amit Shah would lead a discussion on student protests in different parts of the country. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused Rahul Gandhi of avoiding the debate and said his “mindset” had been exposed before the world. He also claimed that Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on hunger strike in Jharkhand, was beaten up in the state. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also attacked the alleged police action against student protesters in Jharkhand. “They have been brutally beaten, and water cannons and tear gas have been used against them. We have to speak out about this. We are demanding answers on this,” she said. The protests came amid escalating agitation by job aspirants in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. On Monday, police used water cannons and lathi-charge to stop protesters from marching towards the state assembly in Ranchi. Thousands of aspirants had breached multiple barricades, leading to clashes with security personnel. The Enforcement Directorate has also launched a money laundering probe into alleged anomalies linked to the recruitment examinations.
Rahul Gandhi Questions Police Crackdown
Rahul Gandhi has questioned the government's decision to hold a debate on student protests, saying the Opposition wants answers on the alleged police crackdown rather than a general discussion.
"Amit Shah does not have the courage to come to the Parliament and stand before us. This is what they have shown in the last 15 days. Neither Narendra Modi nor Amit Shah has the guts...No one is interested in his opinion; we just want to know who ordered the firing, and if he did not order it, then who in MHA ordered it? We want to understand: is there culpability or incompetence?" said Gandhi.
The government has maintained that it is ready to discuss the matter in Parliament. The offer of a debate came after days of disruptions, with proceedings repeatedly affected by the standoff between the ruling side and Opposition parties.
Priyanka, Akhilesh Join Opposition Protest
Opposition MPs, meanwhile, staged a separate protest in the Parliament House complex over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and what they termed “police excesses” against student protesters.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav were among those who participated in the protest. Opposition MPs demanded accountability from Amit Shah over the alleged police action during the July 20 student protest related to the paper leak issue.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the ruling side for staging a protest outside Parliament.
"For the first time I have seen that the MPs of the ruling party are holding a protest. At least we have forced them to do this. Now he (Amit Shah) should come and give a statement," she said.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also said Rahul Gandhi had met the protesting students in Jharkhand.
"Rahul Gandhi has met the students from Jharkhand," she added.
The rival protests brought NDA and Opposition MPs close to each other in the Parliament complex, with security personnel forming a cordon between the two sides to prevent a confrontation.
Protest Continues Despite Om Birla’s Fresh Appeal; Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 2 PM
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday appealed to Opposition members to allow the House to function so that key Bills could be passed through constructive debate. He urged both the Treasury and Opposition benches to work together and avoid disruptions.
Birla’s fresh appeal came a day after the government proposed a response by Home Minister Amit Shah on the use of force by police against students protesting over the NEET paper leak on July 20. The government had urged the Opposition not to run away from the debate and to hear the Home Minister without disrupting proceedings.
The Opposition, however, has maintained that the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya should also be taken up for discussion.
As the stalemate continued on Tuesday, Birla said he was anguished that the House had not been able to function and that Question Hour, during which MPs hold the government accountable, could not be conducted.
He urged members from both sides to come together and ensure that parliamentary proceedings are not disrupted.
With Opposition members in the Lok Sabha refusing to relent despite Birla’s appeal, the Speaker eventually adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.
