Monsoon Session: Opposition Demands Debate on Ayodhya Ram Temple Donations Amid Parliament Disruptions
The Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed significant disruptions on Thursday, July 30, 2026, as Opposition parties united to demand a formal discussion on the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple. The protests led to early adjournments and intense sloganeering in both Houses, overshadowing the scheduled legislative agenda.
According to senior Opposition leaders, a consensus emerged within the INDIA bloc to actively pursue the issue of financial irregularities linked to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The strategy decided by the bloc involves raising the matter in the Lok Sabha immediately and initiating discussions in the Rajya Sabha once the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, is cleared.
Opposition Submits Notices on Temple Donations and Defection Laws
In the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala submitted a formal notice under Rule 267, seeking the suspension of the day's listed business to address the alleged financial irregularities, embezzlement, and donation looting. In his notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General, Surjewala urged the Chair to set aside pre-scheduled legislative work for an urgent debate to establish government accountability.
Surjewala’s notice highlighted that millions of devotees worldwide had contributed thousands of crores of rupees out of deep religious faith. He stated that the alleged theft of donations and embezzlement within the Shri Ram Temple is not only a dacoity on the faith of millions of devotees but also a direct case of loot, embezzlement, and corruption committed by members and associated employees of the trust, which was constituted under the orders of the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice seeking a discussion on the contours of a new Anti-Defection Law. Tewari called for a legal framework to prevent mass political defections driven by opportunism rather than genuine ideological differences, while simultaneously preserving space for honest and critical dissent by elected representatives inside and outside legislatures.
Protests and Adjournments Disrupt Proceedings
The day began with protests inside the Parliament premises. Opposition leaders staged a demonstration over police action during a protest at Jantar Mantar. The Samajwadi Party, which has been consistently raising the Ram temple donation issue during Opposition meetings, had also staged a protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
When the Lok Sabha commenced on Thursday morning, Speaker Om Birla initially congratulated Indian winners at the Commonwealth Games. However, amid mounting Opposition protests, the House was adjourned until 2:00 p.m. shortly after starting.
In the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were disrupted by heavy sloganeering from Opposition benches. Members demanded answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding police action against protesting students. This followed recent remarks by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who stated that no shots were fired at students, and criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeting the government and the RSS over student protests.
Scheduled Legislative Business and Committee Reports
Despite the disruptions, Parliament has several key legislative items on its agenda. The Rajya Sabha is scheduled to consider and pass The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026. Additionally, the Lower House is slated to receive two reports from the Standing Committee on External Affairs. These include a report on "India’s Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions" and an action-taken report on government recommendations regarding the future of India-Bangladesh relations.
