Opposition protests in both Houses of Parliament on Kumbh stampede

Opposition protests in Parliament over Maha Kumbh stampede, demanding accountability and discussion on the tragic incident.

The Opposition held protests in both Houses of Parliament on Monday (February 3, 2025) alleging mismanagement at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj where 30 persons were killed in a stampede on January 29. 

In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition walked out in protest twice in the first half of the session while in the Lok Sabha, Question Hour was held amid pandemonium as Opposition members raised slogans. 

Speaker Om Birla conducted Question Hour in the Lower House amid noisy protests by Opposition parties demanding a discussion on the Maha Kumbh stampede. 

Deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, and his senior colleague K.C. Venugopal led the Opposition members in seeking a suspension of the Question Hour and demanded a discussion on the stampede.

They wanted a list of those who died in the stampede as well. 

Mr. Birla urged the members to allow the Question Hour to function and warned members against thumping tables as a mark of protest. “Have the people asked you to raise questions or damage tables?” Mr. Birla asked.

Opposition members were raising slogans such as “Sanatan virodhi sarkar istifa do [Step down anti-Sanatan government)“.