Opposition to intensify Parliament protest over Jantar Mantar police action

New Delhi: The Opposition will continue its protest and intensify its attack on the Centre in Parliament on Thursday, over its demands regarding the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case and police action against students during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.

Opposition parties have been protesting against the government in Parliament over both issues since the beginning of the Monsoon session.

The Ram Mandir controversy pertains to allegations of financial embezzlement involving donation funds, while the Opposition has also been demanding accountability over the force deployed against demonstrators during the July 20 rally in the national capital.


Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, seeking the suspension of the day's listed business to discuss the police response during the student protest. The Congress MP also sought a formal statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the incident.

In his notice addressed to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, Tagore stated that the matter was of "definite and urgent public importance" and warranted an immediate discussion in the House.

Expanding on his demand, the Congress MP stated: "Reports and allegations arising from the incident have raised serious concerns regarding the nature and proportionality of force used to disperse the protesters. It has been alleged that lathi charges, pellet guns, tear gas, and water cannons were used against students, including female participants, resulting in injuries and widespread public concern. These allegations require a full, fair, and transparent examination."

The notice asks the government to clarify who authorized the police action, whether the use of force complied with the law, established police procedures, and constitutional safeguards governing peaceful assemblies, and under what specific circumstances crowd-control measures were deployed.

Additionally, the motion seeks details on the total number of students--including women--who were injured, detained, or arrested during the protest. It also asks whether any complaints alleging police misconduct or excessive force have been received, alongside what actions have been taken regarding those complaints.

Tagore further inquired whether the government intends to order an "independent, impartial, and time-bound judicial inquiry" to establish facts and fix accountability.

The Congress MP also requested data on the number of FIRs registered against students, the specific offenses invoked, and the reasons for initiating criminal proceedings. He urged the government to withdraw all FIRs filed against students and to assure the House that peaceful student protests and democratic dissent will not be met with police action, criminal prosecution, or legal coercion.

Furthermore, the notice asks whether the government proposes to engage directly with students through constructive dialogue to address their grievances rather than resorting to coercive measures.

Tagore concluded by asking "whether, in view of the widespread public concern arising from the incident, the Hon'ble Prime Minister will make a statement in Parliament expressing regret and tender an apology to the students if the inquiry establishes that excessive or unjustified force was used against peaceful protesters."

Highlighting the constitutional stakes, Tagore wrote: "The allegations surrounding this incident have generated widespread public concern and raise serious issues relating to constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and expression, the right to peaceful assembly, the protection of civil liberties, and public confidence in law enforcement agencies. The House has a duty to examine these issues and hold the Government accountable."

"I, therefore, request that the normal business of the House be adjourned to enable an immediate discussion on this matter and to require the Hon'ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, to make a comprehensive statement before Parliament regarding the incident and the proposed government action," the notice added.