New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – The Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed heated protests as opposition parties, led by the Congress, demanded a discussion on the recent Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj and sought a comprehensive list of the deceased.
As the House convened for the first time after the President’s address and the presentation of the 2025-26 Union Budget, opposition MPs swiftly took to their feet, pressing for a debate on the January 29 tragedy that left 30 dead and 60 injured.
Chaos in Parliament as Opposition Storms Well of the House
Amid loud sloganeering, opposition members stormed the Well of the House, demanding an immediate suspension of Question Hour to address the issue. Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and K C Venugopal spearheaded the protest, raising slogans against the government, including “Sanatan virodhi sarkar istifa do” (Step down, anti-Sanatan government).Speaker Om Birla repeatedly urged the members to maintain decorum, warning them against damaging parliamentary furniture in protest. "People send their representatives to ask questions, not to damage tables," he stated.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the disruptions, expressing hope for a peaceful Question Hour. "Despite repeated appeals from the Speaker, they are not listening," Rijiju said.
Government Urges Opposition to Raise Issue During Motion of Thanks Debate
The opposition also insisted on a full list of those who lost their lives in the stampede. However, Speaker Om Birla advised that the matter be discussed during the upcoming motion of thanks to the President’s address.“The Honourable President has already referred to the Maha Kumbh tragedy. You can raise your concerns during the debate,” Birla stated.
Stampede at Maha Kumbh: A Tragic Incident
According to Vaibhav Krishna, DIG Mahakumbh, the tragic stampede occurred on January 29 when a massive crowd breached barricades as millions of pilgrims rushed to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya at the Prayagraj venue.Despite the Speaker’s repeated appeals, opposition protests continued throughout Question Hour (11 AM to 12 noon), disrupting normal proceedings. In response, Birla proposed a resolution ensuring that the House runs smoothly during Question Hour, with critical issues to be raised post 12 noon during Zero Hour.
Following the protests, opposition MPs from Congress, DMK, TMC, and SP briefly walked out after Question Hour but later returned as discussions resumed.
Although 18 questions were addressed by ministers during the session, the disruptions meant that the usual count of 20 listed questions could not be covered in full.
