Uproar in Lok Sabha as Opposition demands discussion on Maha Kumbh stampede
New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed prolonged noisy protests by opposition parties demanding a discussion on the recent stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and a list of those deceased.
When the House met for the first time after the President's address to the joint sitting and presentation of the 2025-26 budget, the opposition MPs led by Congress were on their feet and demanded a discussion on the recent tragedy in Maha Kumbh.
Soon the opposition members stormed the well of the House resorting to noisy protests and sloganeering.
Led by deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, the opposition members also sought suspension of the Question Hour and demanded a discussion on the stampede.
The opposition MPs also sought a complete list of those who died in the stampede. Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that they can raise their issues during the debate on motion of thanks to the President for her address to the joint sitting.
"The Honourable President had referred to the tragedy at Maha Kumbh. You can raise your issues during the debate," he said.
According to Vaibhav Krishna, DIG Mahakumbh, 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in the stampede at the Maha Kumbh venue in Prayagraj.
The stampede took place on January 29 when a huge crowd broke the barricades as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
Birla said the Question Hour, where important issues are discussed, should not be disrupted and the opposition members should allow the House to run smoothly.
"Arrangement should be made for smooth functioning of the Question Hour as members wait for days for their turn to participate in the discussion," he said.
"However, you don't want the House to run properly. Have people elected you to disrupt the House and raise slogans," he said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the "behaviour" of the opposition members, saying such disruption and disturbance was not good.
"You (Speaker) have repeatedly appealed to them (opposition) but they are not listening," he said.
As the opposition continued their protests throughout the Question Hour from 11 am to 12 noon, Birla later said that there should be a resolution that there is no disruption during the Question Hour and the House should run smoothly during this time.
"We should make arrangements that all concerned issues should be raised after 12 noon (zero hour)," he said.
Opposition members, including those from Congress, DMK, TMC and SP, walked out briefly after conclusion of the Question Hour. They returned later.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
