Opposition Marches In Parliament, Demands J&K Statehood, Action On Student Protests

NEW DELHI, Aug 5: Opposition MPs led by Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi staged a march in the Parliament complex on Wednesday, demanding immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and pressing the Centre to respond to alleged police action against students and allegations of misappropriation of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain said the march began at the Gandhi Statue at Prerna Sthal and proceeded towards Makar Dwar, with MPs from several Opposition parties participating.

“Today, Opposition MPs, led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi ji, marched from the Gandhi Statue at Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar, demanding the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” Hussain told reporters.

He said the Opposition also demanded a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the alleged police action against students and allegations concerning the handling of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The protest came amid continued disruptions in both Houses during the Monsoon Session, with Opposition parties pressing the government to address their demands on several issues.

The INDIA bloc has repeatedly demanded restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which was reorganised into two Union Territories following the Centre’s August 2019 decisions relating to Article 370.

The Opposition has also sought the Home Minister’s response in Parliament to allegations of police action against students protesting over examination-related issues and the alleged irregularities involving donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Repeated protests by Opposition members have resulted in disruptions in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session. (Agencies)