Parliament – Rahul Gandhi Meets H.S. Sarna Over DSGMC Concerns

Parliament – Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday held a meeting with H.S. Sarna, a former chief of both the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and the Patna Sahib Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. The interaction was described as a formal courtesy visit but included discussions surrounding alleged administrative issues within the DSGMC and its associated educational institutions.

Allegations Raised Over DSGMC Functioning

During the discussion, Sarna reportedly highlighted concerns about suspected procedural lapses and claims of financial irregularities linked to the DSGMC and schools under its supervision. He requested Gandhi to consider bringing the matter before Parliament to ensure proper scrutiny. According to sources familiar with the meeting, Gandhi acknowledged the concerns and assured that the issue would be examined with seriousness, stressing the need for accountability and transparency in public institutions.

The Delhi Congress unit later shared details of the meeting through a social media update, confirming that the two leaders exchanged views on the functioning of the committee and ongoing administrative challenges. The post emphasised Gandhi’s commitment to addressing the allegations through appropriate parliamentary channels if necessary.

Presence of Senior Delhi Congress Leadership

The meeting also saw participation from Delhi Congress in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin and Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav. Their presence reflected the party’s growing focus on issues related to governance and institutional functioning in the national capital. Party officials indicated that the leadership intends to carefully review the concerns presented during the discussion before deciding on further political or legislative action.

While the Congress has not released specific details regarding the alleged irregularities, insiders suggest that the matter could form part of broader discussions about institutional transparency and accountability during the ongoing parliamentary session.

Opposition Strategy Meeting Scheduled

Separately, opposition parties have scheduled a strategy session to address challenges emerging in the current Parliament proceedings. The meeting is set to take place at 10 AM in the office of Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge within the Parliament complex. Sources suggest that opposition parties aim to coordinate their approach amid repeated disruptions affecting legislative business in both Houses.

The session is expected to focus on issues raised by multiple opposition leaders, including debates related to national security discussions and parliamentary procedure.

Dispute Over Reference to Military Memoir

Tensions between the government and the opposition have escalated in recent days following Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to refer to an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane. The memoir reportedly contains observations about the 2020 military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

Leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the reference, arguing that citing unpublished military material could violate parliamentary norms and potentially impact the morale of the armed forces. Opposition leaders, however, have defended Gandhi’s remarks, stating that discussions around national security should be open and transparent within parliamentary forums.

Lok Sabha Disruptions Continue

The disagreement contributed to a heated atmosphere in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the Prime Minister was reluctant to participate in debates concerning national security matters. The remarks triggered strong protests from treasury bench members, leading to repeated disruptions inside the House.

Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to deliver a reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address later in the day. However, continuous protests and adjournments prevented the House from completing scheduled proceedings. The Lok Sabha was eventually adjourned until February 5, leaving several agenda items pending.

Political Atmosphere Ahead of Parliamentary Debates

The developments indicate rising political tensions as Parliament continues to witness sharp exchanges between the government and opposition parties. Observers note that issues related to governance transparency, national security, and parliamentary conduct are likely to dominate upcoming sessions. With both sides preparing to intensify their positions, further debates are expected to shape the direction of political discourse in the coming weeks.