NEW DELHI, Aug 11: Ruling NDA and Opposition INDIA bloc MPs faced off outside Parliament on Tuesday as they staged separate protests over police action against job aspirants in Jharkhand, alleged excesses against student protesters and issues related to donations to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The rival groups gathered at the Parliament’s main entrance, ‘Makar Dwar’, with security personnel forming a cordon between them as MPs raised counter-slogans and displayed placards highlighting their respective demands.
NDA MPs accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of avoiding a proposed debate on student protests across the country, while INDIA bloc MPs sought accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police excesses during student protests on July 20.
The ruling alliance MPs marched from the Parliament Library to Makar Dwar after attending their weekly ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting. They raised slogans including “Rahul Gandhi Jawab Do” and “Rahul Gandhi Bhago Maat”.
The government had on Monday announced that Home Minister Amit Shah would respond to a debate on student protests in different parts of the country. Gandhi, however, said the Opposition wanted answers on whether the Home Minister had ordered the use of pellet guns against protesting students rather than a discussion on what he termed “general topics”.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that Gandhi’s position had been exposed and raised the issue of Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike in Jharkhand. He alleged that Mahto was beaten up during the agitation.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also accused the Jharkhand government of allowing alleged atrocities against young job aspirants.
“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.
Meanwhile, Opposition MPs, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, protested over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and alleged police excesses against students protesting over NEET paper leak issues in Delhi on July 20.
The protests by job aspirants in Jharkhand intensified on Monday after police used water cannons and baton charges to stop demonstrators from marching towards the state Assembly.
According to officials, clashes broke out in Ranchi after thousands of recruitment-exam aspirants breached several barricades while attempting to march towards the Assembly, where the Monsoon Session was underway.
