Monsoon Session Day 12: Rajya Sabha adjourned amid Ram Temple donation theft protests

Parliament disrupted on Day 12

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. on Tuesday as Opposition MPs, led by the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, staged massive sloganeering over the alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The House witnessed chaos within minutes of reassembling after the lunch break, with members from several parties thronging the well of the House.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar appealed for order, but the protests continued unabated, forcing the adjournment. This is the second adjournment of the day, reflecting the escalating tension between the treasury and opposition benches over the issue.

Opposition demands action

Opposition members, including those from the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, have been demanding a statement from the government on the alleged misappropriation of funds collected for the Ram Temple construction. They have also sought a probe into the matter, claiming that the theft has hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees.

Sources indicate that the Opposition is likely to press for a discussion under a rule that entails voting, which the government is resisting. The stalemate has stalled legislative business, with several pending bills awaiting passage in the Upper House.

Protests outside Parliament complex

Meanwhile, Opposition MPs also staged a protest in the Parliament complex over the Ram Temple donation theft issue and the alleged police action against students. The demonstrators raised slogans demanding justice and accountability, drawing attention to what they termed as a "scam" involving temple funds.

The protest saw participation from leaders of various parties, who accused the government of shielding those responsible. The police action against students, which reportedly took place during a separate demonstration, has further fuelled the Opposition's charge of a "supremacist mindset" in dealing with dissent.

Privilege notice against Pappu Yadav

In a related development, a BJP MP has filed a privilege notice against Pappu Yadav, the Lok Sabha member from Purnea, for appearing in Parliament in what the BJP termed as a "sadhu" (ascetic) attire. The notice alleges that Yadav's attire was a breach of parliamentary decorum and dignity.

The notice is likely to be examined by the Speaker, who may refer it to the Privileges Committee for further action. Yadav, known for his flamboyant style, has dismissed the notice, calling it a diversionary tactic by the ruling party.

Business suspended, what's next

With the Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m., the government is expected to hold consultations with the Opposition to break the deadlock. The Lok Sabha, which was also briefly disrupted, resumed proceedings later in the day, but the mood remains tense.

As the session progresses, all eyes will be on whether the government agrees to a discussion on the Ram Temple donation theft issue, which the Opposition is keen to highlight. The coming days are likely to witness more protests if a consensus is not reached, potentially derailing the legislative agenda for the remainder of the session.