Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday criticised the Centre over its handling of student protests and questioned why Union Home Minister Amit Shah had not yet made a statement in Parliament on the issue.
Speaking to reporters, Priyanka Gandhi said the Opposition's demand for an explanation from the government remained unmet, arguing that Parliament was the appropriate forum for the government to respond to concerns raised by the public and elected representatives.
She referred to demonstrations by students and young people in several parts of the country, alleging that protesters faced police action, including the use of tear gas and pellet guns. She also alleged that an AK-47 had been used against protesters in Bihar.
"Does the government not owe a statement as to how this happened?" she asked, while demanding greater accountability over the handling of the protests.
The Congress leader's remarks came as Opposition parties continued to press the government for a discussion in Parliament on the protests and the alleged use of force against demonstrators. The government, meanwhile, has said it is willing to discuss issues in the House and has accused the Opposition of repeatedly disrupting proceedings.
Priyanka Gandhi also questioned the government's position on the Ram temple construction and the alleged theft of donations collected for the project.
She said people from across India had contributed to the temple-building campaign out of faith, adding that the initiative had also attracted support from Indians and others abroad. She specifically mentioned countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand while discussing the temple's broader significance.
The Congress MP questioned the argument that the Ram temple was now exclusively a matter concerning the Uttar Pradesh government. She pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of the temple and the large number of devotees who travelled to Ayodhya from different parts of the country.
Her comments come amid a continuing political confrontation between the government and the Opposition over the functioning of Parliament, with the Opposition demanding answers on several issues and the government maintaining that disruptions have hindered legislative business.
(With inputs from ANI)
