Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday, 13 August launched a sharp attack on the Opposition after Congress members staged a demonstration inside Parliament carrying a soft monkey toy, calling the act a new low in parliamentary conduct. Singh said the Opposition had “crossed all limits” and accused them of turning the session into a spectacle.

What Triggered the Outburst

The protest was led by Congress MP Pawan Khera, who held a soft monkey toy while raising slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre. Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Jebi Mather were also among the participants in the demonstration outside the House.

What Giriraj Singh Said

Speaking to reporters, Singh said: “Because of one arrogant and obstinate leader, the entire month has been turned into a joke. They are bringing monkeys into Parliament. Is this a team of monkeys? Are they entertainers? The Congress should be ashamed of itself for stooping so low. No MP can be an entertainer, but they have crossed all limits by bringing monkeys into Parliament. They do not want Parliament to function.”

The minister also alleged that the disruptions had caused a significant drain on public resources. “Because of the arrogance and obstinacy of one person, and because of his misconceptions and delusions, hundreds of crores of rupees of public money have been wasted,” he said. Singh reiterated that the government, including Home Minister Amit Shah, had repeatedly stated its readiness for a discussion. “This is not how democracy works. There will be answers only when there is a discussion,” he added.

The Haldwani Havan Row

The exchange came against the backdrop of a separate and escalating controversy. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier condemned a reported ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) havan conducted at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan following his public rally there. Kharge, who also serves as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, alleged the ritual reflected discrimination against Dalits and an attempt to divide Hindu society.

“Ramlila Maidan is a venue for public meetings and is used by all political parties. What they did was, first, against the spirit of Hindu religion itself, and second, an attempt to divide the country and create conflict among castes. I strongly condemn it,” Kharge told reporters outside Parliament.

When asked to respond, Giriraj Singh offered a measured reply on this particular issue. “Kharge ji has made an allegation. He is a senior and respected leader, and we respect him. If there was dirt at the venue and it was cleaned, that is a different matter. But if they are interpreting it in some other way, then that is not right,” he said.

BJP Denies Link to Havan Group

Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the right-wing outfit Shri Ram Sena, which reportedly organised the havan, was linked to the BJP. The ruling party strongly denied the allegation. The purification ritual is said to have been conducted after Kharge’s meeting concluded at the venue, though the exact organisers and their affiliations remain disputed.

The Bigger Picture

The twin controversies — the monkey-toy protest and the Haldwani havan — reflect the sharply adversarial atmosphere in the current Parliament session, with both sides accusing the other of bad faith. Notably, the government’s repeated offers of a floor discussion have not yet translated into substantive debate, keeping the session mired in disruption. With the session’s remaining days limited, the standoff shows little sign of resolution.