Rahul Gandhi Calls 'Manhandling' Of MPs In RS 'Murder Of Democracy'. Opposition Stages Protest

As Opposition parties took out a protest march in Delhi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged that the voice of people was "crushed" in the House.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with other opposition parties leaders talks to the media at a protest march against the curtailment of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, Aug 12, 2021. (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore)

New Delhi: Leaders of several opposition parties took out a protest march in the national capital against the Union government on Thursday.

The opposition has brought up several issues, including Pegasus reports, contentious agrarian laws, and alleged manhandling of their MPs in Rajya Sabha. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged that the voice of people was "crushed" in the House, news agency PTI reported.

Prominent leaders of several opposition parties met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. After the meeting, the leaders walked in protest from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk.

Besides Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Kharge, Sanjay Raut, Manoj Jha and other opposition leaders attended the meeting.

The march comes a day after the passage of bills in Rajya Sabha amid accusations of manhandling of opposition leaders.

The protesting MPs carried placards and banners with slogans against the Modi government such as 'Stop murder of democracy' and 'we demand Repeal of anti farmers laws'.

"The Parliament session is over. Frankly, as far as 60 percent of the country is concerned, there was no Parliament session as the voice of 70 percent of people was crushed, humiliated," Rhual Gandhi said.

"Yesterday, for the first time in the history of our country, members of the Rajya Sabha were manhandled and physically beaten. This was nothing short of murder of democracy," he alleged.

Speaking to the media persons amid the protest, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also said that the opposition didn't get a chance to present their views in Parliament. "Yesterday's incident against women MPs was against democracy. It felt like we were standing at the Pakistan border," he added.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor alleged that the Union government doesn't want to run the Parliament proceedings properly. "The government is passing laws without discussions. There should be a discussion on COVID-19 vaccination, current economic situation, unemployment, farm laws but government is running away," he said.

Responding to the opposition's allegations BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that "it's unfortunate how Congress and other Opposition parties are protesting on road". "Democracy has been shamed. I would say that not just VP Venkaiah Naidu cried but democracy also cried. Opposition ensured washout of the whole session, and this is the height of anarchy," he added as quoted by ANI.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had termed the opposition's allegations of marshals manhandling their MPs as "totally false", adding that one can check facts from CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders from Congress, Shiv Sena, DMK, CPIM, RJD, SP, NCP, CPI, IUML, and LJD met Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to apprise him of yesterday's incident in the Upper House.