The Lok Sabha witnessed a brief adjournment on Tuesday following opposition protests over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the success of the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized the government, stating that he was not allowed to speak, which he claimed was against the democratic structure of the country.
As soon as the Prime Minister finished his remarks, opposition members rose from their seats in protest, leading to a temporary disruption in parliamentary proceedings. The Mahakumbh, which took place from January 13 to February 26, saw massive participation, but also witnessed a tragic stampede on January 29, resulting in multiple casualties.
“I wanted to support what the Prime Minister was saying. Kumbh is our tradition, history, and culture. However, he should have also paid homage to those who lost their lives in the stampede,” said Gandhi while addressing reporters outside Parliament.
He further emphasized that while the government is celebrating the grandeur of the Mahakumbh, it must also address pressing concerns such as unemployment. “The youth that attended the Kumbh need employment, and the Prime Minister should speak about that as well,” Gandhi added.
When asked whether he was prevented from speaking inside the House, Gandhi responded, “According to the democratic structure, the Leader of Opposition should be allowed to speak, but in ‘New India,’ that permission is not granted.”
Meanwhile, in his address, Prime Minister Modi described the Mahakumbh as an important milestone and a testament to India’s organizational capabilities. “The entire world witnessed the grandeur of India during the Mahakumbh. It was a befitting response to those who questioned our capability to hold such a grand event,” Modi said.
The session is expected to see further heated debates as the opposition continues to press for discussions on key national issues, including employment and public safety at large gatherings.
