Opposition MPs Escalate Protest Over Ayodhya Temple Fraud and Student Crackdown
Opposition lawmakers staged a symbolic demonstration at Parliament, demanding accountability for alleged financial irregularities in Ram Temple donations. The INDIA bloc also condemned the Home Minister’s absence and the recent police force used against student protesters.
Key takeaways
- Opposition MPs collected over ₹47,000 in a symbolic protest at Parliament to highlight alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations.
- Leaders from Congress, TMC, and SP questioned the continued absence of Home Minister Amit Shah from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- The INDIA bloc condemned the July 20 police crackdown on students protesting against examination paper leaks in New Delhi.
- Legislative business remains disrupted as the government passes Bills without floor debates amid ongoing Opposition protests.
Symbolic Donation Box Protest at Makar Dwar
Opposition legislators gathered at the Parliament’s Makar Dwar entrance on Monday, August 3, 2026, to intensify their campaign against alleged embezzlement involving Ram Temple donations. Members of the Samajwadi Party, including Anand Bhadauriya, Dimple Yadav, and Dharmendra Yadav, utilized donation boxes in a performance-based protest to illustrate the purported theft. During the demonstration, MPs deposited cash into these boxes to simulate public contributions that they claim are being misappropriated.
Organizers reported that the collection has surpassed ₹47,000. The Samajwadi Party intends to deliver these funds to the Ayodhya temple authorities and secure a formal receipt. This repeat performance follows a similar demonstration last week which drew sharp criticism from the BJP and various Hindu organizations, who characterized the act as an affront to Sanatan Dharma.
Demands for Home Minister’s Accountability
The demonstration expanded to address the physical absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from legislative proceedings. Holding a prominent banner questioning Shah's whereabouts, a coalition of leaders including Priyanka Gandhi of the Congress, Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress, and Mahua Maji of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha voiced their grievances. The bloc criticized the government's silence regarding the July 20 police crackdown on students protesting against examination paper leaks.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the administration of using pellet guns and lathi charges against students rather than addressing their concerns in the House. Kharge labeled the suppression of youth as an attack on democracy, demanding an apology from the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, K.C. Venugopal, Congress general secretary, noted the sharp contrast in the Home Minister's activity levels compared to previous sessions, insisting that the country deserves a direct explanation for the ongoing violence against student activists.
Parliamentary Standoff Continues
The persistent friction between the treasury benches and the INDIA bloc has resulted in a legislative stalemate. While the Opposition continues to stall proceedings in both Houses, the government has moved forward by passing several Bills without the traditional floor debates. The protesting members, including N.K. Premachandran of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, have vowed to maintain their agitation both inside and outside the chambers until the government addresses the dual issues of temple finance and student safety.
Source: The Hindu — National
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