Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were briefly adjourned on Tuesday after a heated confrontation between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Opposition members over allegations relating to donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The disruption began during Zero Hour when Congress President and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram Temple Trust. His remarks triggered strong protests from treasury bench members, while Opposition MPs responded with slogans, leading to noisy scenes in the House.
Presiding over the session, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan appealed for order and reminded members that all sides should be given an opportunity to present their views. He then permitted Kharge to raise the issue.
Responding on behalf of the government, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Opposition of repeatedly attempting to politicise the Ram Temple issue both inside and outside Parliament. He alleged that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party had disrespected Lord Ram and demanded that they apologise before raising the matter again in the House.
The exchange intensified as Opposition members entered the Well of the House, while treasury bench MPs protested in response. Amid the continuing uproar, Kharge reiterated his allegations, and Rijiju repeated his demand for an apology, making it impossible for normal proceedings to continue. With no sign of the disruptions subsiding, the Chair adjourned the House till noon.
The controversy over the alleged handling of devotees’ donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has remained in public focus since early June 2026. Opposition parties have been demanding an independent or court-monitored investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Earlier in the day, the Rajya Sabha conducted its scheduled business, including the laying of papers by various ministries, presentation of Public Accounts Committee reports, tabling of a Parliamentary Standing Committee report on urban sewerage and septage management under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, implementation statements relating to parliamentary committee recommendations, and the introduction of a motion seeking the election of members to the governing bodies of several All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), including a vacancy at AIIMS Jodhpur.
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