ParliamentProtest – Premachandran Questions FIR Against Opposition Leaders Over Parliament Demonstration
ParliamentProtest –The registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders following a symbolic protest inside the Parliament complex has triggered fresh political debate, with several Opposition members questioning the legal basis of the action.
The controversy intensified after Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP N.K. Premachandran strongly objected to the FIR filed against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Independent MP Pappu Yadav and Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad. Speaking on Monday, Premachandran argued that a symbolic demonstration within the Parliament premises should not be treated as a criminal matter and described the police action as unjustified.
Opposition Raises Objection Over Legal Action
Premachandran said the protest was intended to draw attention to allegations related to the handling of donations collected for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. According to him, Opposition parties had repeatedly requested a detailed discussion on the issue inside Parliament, but their demand had not been accepted by the government.
He maintained that Parliament is the appropriate place to debate issues of national importance. When repeated requests for discussion are declined, he said, symbolic demonstrations become one of the few remaining democratic methods available to lawmakers to express their concerns.
Demand for Parliamentary Discussion
The RSP leader also criticised the government’s response to the Opposition’s demand for debate. He stated that members from several Opposition parties had sought clarification from the government regarding the allegations but claimed that no meaningful discussion had been scheduled in either House.
According to Premachandran, denying a parliamentary debate while simultaneously initiating criminal proceedings against those staging a peaceful symbolic protest raises serious concerns about the functioning of democratic institutions.
Reference to Earlier Parliamentary Protests
Questioning the decision to register a criminal case, Premachandran pointed to several earlier incidents in which Members of Parliament carried out symbolic demonstrations within Parliament without facing similar legal consequences.
He recalled that MPs from different political parties had, on multiple occasions, used symbolic items during protests to highlight their demands. He argued that such demonstrations have long been part of parliamentary traditions and questioned why the recent protest was being treated differently.
FIR Registered in Varanasi
The FIR was registered on Saturday at Kotwali Police Station in Varanasi against Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav and Awadhesh Prasad. The complaint was submitted by a group of seers, who alleged that the protest performance inside the Parliament complex had hurt religious sentiments and amounted to an insult to Sanatan Dharma.
Varanasi Police confirmed that the case was filed under Sections 196, 299, 302 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kashi Zone, Gaurav Banswal stated that the investigation would proceed in accordance with the law.
Symbolic Protest Sparks Wider Debate
The demonstration took place on Friday near Makar Dwar inside the Parliament complex. During the protest, Opposition MPs staged a short skit highlighting allegations of misappropriation of donations intended for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
As part of the performance, Rahul Gandhi and other MPs were seen placing money into donation boxes, while Pappu Yadav, dressed in saffron attire, symbolically placed currency into his pockets to represent the alleged diversion of donations. The protest was designed to communicate the Opposition’s allegations through a visual demonstration rather than a formal speech.
Reactions From Hindu Organisations
The protest also prompted reactions from several Hindu organisations. Demonstrations were organised in different cities, including Bhopal, where activists associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal protested against Rahul Gandhi.
Police stopped the protesters from marching beyond barricades near Vyapam Square towards Link Road. During the demonstration, a few activists attempted to move past the barricades, resulting in brief confrontations with security personnel before the situation was brought under control.