Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha sought a direct response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on alleged theft of valuables donated for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and also pressed for discussion on police action against student protesters. The dispute escalated into repeated protests, followed by adjournment, and an INDIA bloc demonstration outside Parliament that questioned the absence of Home Minister Amit Shah.

What happened in the Rajya Sabha

Opposition members pressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to allegations that valuables donated for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were stolen. Opposition submissions linked the Centre’s role to the alleged donation theft by referencing that the Centre set up the Trust and allotted land for the temple, and by noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the temple.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to the Opposition’s demand. Rijiju argued that Opposition members want to speak but not listen, and he added that the House belongs to all members.

DMK floor leader Tiruchi Siva protested the arrest of Udayanidhi Stalin. Tiruchi Siva framed the protest as an issue of constitutional freedom of expression in Tamil Nadu being curtailed.

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha did not allow the arrest-related issue to be taken up. The Chairman’s reasoning was that the matter fell under a state subject.

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