Almost the entire opposition in the Lok Sabha, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, staged a brief walkout on Tuesday in protest over the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal.
The protest began as soon as the House convened for the Question Hour. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue, seeking Speaker Om Birla’s permission to speak on the matter. "This is a very serious issue. Five people have lost their lives," Yadav said.
When the Speaker suggested members could raise the issue during Zero Hour, Yadav and his colleagues walked out in protest. Some SP members gathered in the Well of the House, shouting slogans.
During the protest, DMK member A. Raja urged other opposition members, including Congress, to join in supporting the SP's cause. NCP and Shiv Sena-UBT members stood in solidarity with the SP MPs. Several Congress members, including Rahul Gandhi, also rose in support of the protest. Gandhi made his way to the aisle, joining the demonstration.
While the protest was ongoing, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju approached Yadav to discuss the matter. After a short while, Yadav signalled his party MPs to leave, and the opposition members, including Gandhi, walked out.
They later returned to resume participation in the ongoing Question Hour.
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