Opposition stages walkout in Rajya Sabha over Maha Kumbh stampede

Opposition parties walked out of the Rajya Sabha on Monday during zero hour after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar refused to entertain notices given by Opposition members to discuss the Kumbh tragedy.

Seven members, including Pramod Tiwari and Digvijaya Singh of the Congress, Sagarika Ghosh of Trinamool Congress, Ramji Lal Suman of the Samajwadi Party and John Britas of the CPI(M), gave notice for adjournment of the House under Rule 267 to discuss the issue of deaths of pilgrims in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraaj.

Randeep Singh Surjewala of the Congress gave a notice for adjournment of the proceedings to discuss incidents of display of disrespect directed at the Constitution and BR Ambedkar taking place across the country.

P Sandosh Kumar of the CPI gave notice for adjournment of the House to discuss the issue of the alleged casteist remarks made by Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi.

The notices were turned down by Dhankhar saying they did not conform to the guidelines prescribed.

The refusal by the Chairman to admit the notices prompted the Opposition members to troop to the Well of the House and raise slogans.

Later, the Opposition members walked out of the House in protest.