New Delhi:
The third day of the Parliament’s Budget session was marred by intense protests as Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha demanded accountability for the recent Maha Kumbh stampede that claimed the lives of at least 30 people. Despite the Speaker’s directives to maintain order, the Opposition continued their sloganeering, alleging that the actual death toll was significantly higher than the government’s reported figures.
The Budget Session of the Lok Sabha was disrupted on Monday as Opposition members raised slogans, calling for transparency and accountability regarding the Maha Kumbh stampede. Speaker Om Birla condemned the behaviour of the Opposition leaders, urging them to respect the House’s decorum. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also appealed to the MPs to maintain calm and order. The Opposition, however, persisted in their demands, questioning the government’s handling of the tragedy.
A devastating stampede occurred during the Mauni Amavasya celebrations at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj last week, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 devotees. This incident has sparked widespread outrage, with the Opposition in the Lok Sabha demanding a comprehensive list of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. The slogans, including “Kumbh pe jawab do” (Give answers about the Kumbh), echoed through the House as the Opposition pressed for a detailed discussion on the stampede.
Speaker Om Birla directed the Opposition to raise the issue after the end of Question Hour, but they continued their protest, disrupting the proceedings. The Opposition claims that the actual death toll is significantly higher than the number reported by the government, fueling their demands for a thorough investigation and accountability.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the MPs to maintain order in the House, emphasizing the need for respectful and constructive dialogue. However, the Opposition’s determination to highlight the issue led to continuous sloganeering throughout the session.
Despite the chaos, the Lok Sabha proceedings continued, with various ministers scheduled to lay papers on the table. The legislative agenda for the session includes 16 Bills, among which are the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill. The joint committee report on the Waqf Bill is also set to be tabled, marking a significant legislative milestone.
The ongoing Budget session, which began on February 1 with the presentation of the Union Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to conclude on April 4. The session’s first part will end on February 13, with the second part commencing on March 10.
