New Delhi, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday criticised Opposition MPs over their protest in the Parliament complex involving a soft monkey toy, accusing the Congress of crossing “all limits” and disrupting the functioning of Parliament.
Several Opposition MPs, including Congress leaders Pawan Khera, Imran Pratapgarhi and Jebi Mather, participated in the demonstration against the BJP-led government. Khera led the protest while holding a soft monkey toy.
Speaking to reporters, Giriraj Singh said the Opposition should focus on parliamentary debate instead of such demonstrations. He alleged that public money was being wasted because of the refusal to allow Parliament to function and said the government had repeatedly expressed its readiness for discussion.
The minister said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also indicated that he was prepared to respond to issues raised by the Opposition, arguing that answers could come only through a discussion in Parliament.
Singh also responded to the controversy over a reported ‘shuddhikaran havan’ at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally there.
He said Kharge was a senior and respected leader but suggested that the incident should not necessarily be interpreted as an act of discrimination if the ritual was intended merely to clean the venue. He said any broader interpretation of the incident would not be appropriate.
Kharge had earlier condemned the reported purification ritual, alleging that it reflected discrimination against Dalits and an attempt to divide Hindu society along caste lines.
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the ‘Shri Ram Sena’, which reportedly organised the ritual, was linked to the BJP. The BJP has strongly denied the allegation.
The controversy followed Kharge’s public meeting at the Haldwani venue and has triggered a political exchange between the Congress and the ruling party.
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