Opposition MPs Protest Outside Parliament’s Makar Dwar Over Ram Temple Donations and Student Action
Members of Parliament from the Opposition INDIA bloc staged a protest outside Makar Dwar at the Parliament House complex on Monday, August 3, 2026, during the ongoing Monsoon Session. The demonstration focused on alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, recent police action against student protesters, and the absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from parliamentary proceedings.
What Happened
Opposition leaders gathered at the Makar Dwar entrance, placing donation boxes to symbolise alleged embezzlement linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. During the demonstration, several MPs placed cash into the boxes to depict the making and subsequent alleged theft of donations. Representatives from the Samajwadi Party stated that over ₹47,000 had been collected during the demonstrations, which they plan to donate to the Ram Temple while securing an official receipt. A similar demonstration conducted the previous week faced criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party and Hindu organizations, who described the act as an insult to Sanatan Dharma.
Protesters also displayed a banner reading “Why Amit Shah is absent from Parliament?” to highlight the Union Home Minister’s absence from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Key participants included Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and K.C. Venugopal, Samajwadi Party MPs Dimple Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav, and Anand Bhadauriya, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Maji, and Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N.K. Premachandran.
The protesting leaders raised slogans regarding police force, including lathi charges and pellet gun use, directed at anti-paper leak student demonstrations on July 20 in New Delhi. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the treatment of student demonstrators and criticized the government for avoiding discussions on donation theft and student issues. Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal questioned why the Home Minister was absent during this session despite active attendance in previous parliamentary sessions.
Key Highlights
- Opposition MPs demonstrated outside Makar Dwar using symbolic donation boxes to highlight alleged embezzlement at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
- Samajwadi Party members reported collecting more than ₹47,000, which they intend to hand over to the Ram Temple in exchange for a receipt.
- Protesters questioned the absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from both Houses of Parliament with dedicated banners and slogans.
- Leaders criticized the July 20 police action against students protesting against examination paper leaks in New Delhi.
- Ongoing protests by the INDIA bloc have disrupted proceedings in both Houses, resulting in legislative bills being passed without debate.
Why This Matters
The persistent demonstrations reflect ongoing friction between the government and Opposition parties during the Monsoon Session. The disruptions have directly impacted parliamentary function, leading to the passage of legislative bills without floor debate while both Houses remain stalled over these contested issues.
What to Watch Next
Opposition leaders, including K.C. Venugopal, announced that demonstrations both outside Parliament and on the floors of both Houses will continue until the government responds to their questions regarding student safety, donation transparency, and parliamentary attendance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were donation boxes placed at Makar Dwar?
Opposition MPs placed donation boxes near the entrance of Parliament to symbolically protest against alleged donation embezzlement at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
What issues are the Opposition MPs raising?
The Opposition is protesting against alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple, police action against anti-paper leak student protesters on July 20, and the absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from parliamentary sessions.
How has Parliament been affected by the protests?
Protests by INDIA bloc members have stalled proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, leading to legislative bills being passed without debate.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.