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The recent stampede tragedy at the Maha Kumbh Mela has ignited a heated political debate in India. Opposition parties are vehemently criticizing the government's handling of the situation, alleging a lack of transparency and a misplaced prioritization of VIP visits over crowd control measures. This criticism came to a head during an all-party meeting on January 30th, 2025, where opposition leaders demanded a thorough discussion on the tragedy during the upcoming Budget session of Parliament. The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, saw the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, offer no concrete assurances, stating that the Business Advisory Committee would ultimately decide the parliamentary agenda. This ambiguous response only fueled the opposition's ire, highlighting the perceived lack of urgency and accountability from the government.
The Samajwadi Party (SP), a prominent opposition party, led the charge, accusing the government of a deliberate cover-up and actively withholding crucial information regarding the stampede. Ramgopal Yadav, the SP's Rajya Sabha leader, sharply criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for prioritizing the needs of VIPs over the safety and well-being of the millions of pilgrims who attended the religious gathering. This sentiment was echoed by other opposition leaders, including Manoj K. Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), who condemned the state government's initial 17-hour delay in acknowledging the severity of the situation. Jha's poignant statement, highlighting the 'difference between religiosity and religious blindness,' underscored the opposition's belief that the government's response was woefully inadequate and prioritized image management over effective crisis response.
The criticism extended beyond the immediate aftermath of the stampede to encompass broader concerns about the functioning of Parliament itself. Opposition leaders expressed deep concern over what they perceive as a decline in the institution's sanctity and a systematic erosion of bipartisan cooperation. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi highlighted the increasingly partisan nature of parliamentary committees, citing the rejection of all opposition amendments to the Waqf Bill as a clear example. This sentiment was further amplified by CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, who pointed to a concerning trend of declining parliamentary sittings and the curtailment of private members' business, a fundamental right of all MPs regardless of party affiliation. Brittas also highlighted the disproportionate representation of BJP members in parliamentary standing committees, alleging a deliberate attempt to consolidate power and marginalize opposition voices.
Adding to the growing list of grievances, Gogoi also criticized the arbitrary changes made to Lok Sabha seating arrangements without prior notice to members. This issue transcended party lines, with even NDA allies, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), expressing similar concerns. These allies also urged the government to allow more time for raising their individual concerns and issues during the session. Further illustrating the breadth of opposition discontent, the JD(U) sought an extension for the Joint Parliamentary Committee scrutinizing the simultaneous elections bill, while the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) demanded a special industrial package for Bihar. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) demanded a government statement on the recent events in Bangladesh and raised concerns about the alleged deprivation of funds to non-BJP ruled states, a sentiment echoed by the DMK and BJD, who also highlighted issues of funding discrimination and unmet promises from the central government, respectively.
The upcoming Budget session, scheduled to begin with President Droupadi Murmu's address to a joint sitting of Parliament on February 1st, 2025, will be the stage for this political showdown. The session's legislative agenda includes sixteen bills, including the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Immigration and Foreigners Bill. While the government proceeds with its legislative program, the opposition's determination to hold the government accountable for its handling of the Maha Kumbh tragedy, coupled with its broader concerns about the functioning of Parliament, sets the stage for a potentially contentious and politically charged session. The events surrounding the Maha Kumbh stampede have thus become a focal point for wider debates on governance, transparency, and the state of Indian democracy itself. The outcome of the upcoming parliamentary session will be crucial in determining the government's response to these criticisms and in shaping the future of political discourse in India.