On Monday, opposition MPs protested in the Parliament premises against the central government’s alleged misuse of central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Pics/ PTI
Updated On: 2024-07-01 04:25 PM IST
Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande
The protest aimed to highlight the alleged intimidation tactics used by the government to silence dissenting voices.
Key figures from various opposition parties participated in the demonstration. Notable attendees included Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor, KC Venugopal, and Manish Tewari, Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha, TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh, and Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi.
The protesting MPs were seen holding placards and posters with slogans such as “Respect Opposition, Stop Intimidation!”, “Stop misusing agencies to silence opposition”, and “End the reign of fear, stop ED, IT, CBI misuse”. These messages underscored their grievances against the government's perceived misuse of central agencies.
Opposition parties have consistently accused the central government of using the ED and CBI to target political rivals. Recent high-profile arrests of leaders like Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and various TMC Ministers have intensified these allegations.
Hemant Soren was recently released on bail after 149 days in custody following his arrest by the ED in connection with an alleged land scam. Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal remains in judicial custody related to the alleged liquor policy scam, after being denied bail by the Delhi High Court.
With Parliament resuming after a two-day break, opposition MPs are prepared for heated discussions on several issues, including the NEET row and new criminal laws. The protest set the tone for a contentious session.
The protest was not only about the misuse of agencies but also a call for accountability and transparency in governance. Opposition leaders demanded that the government respect democratic principles and stop using central agencies as tools for political vendetta.
The demonstration by opposition MPs is expected to influence the parliamentary proceedings significantly. Debates and discussions on the alleged misuse of power by the government could dominate the agenda, potentially leading to further disruptions in both Houses.
