New Delhi, March 9 (NationPress) A demonstration occurred in the Parliament complex on Monday, led by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Opposition MPs accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of remaining in a state of "total silence" regarding the ongoing conflict in the Gulf and its possible ramifications for India's economy and its citizens overseas.

Providing insights into the protest via X, Congress MP and General Secretary K. C. Venugopal mentioned that MPs from the INDIA bloc rallied against what they termed the Prime Minister’s inadequate response to the intensifying crisis in the Gulf.

"Common Indians will bear the brunt of escalating energy prices—evident in the recent rise in LPG cylinder costs—and those stranded in the Gulf find themselves in a conflict zone. India urgently needs robust leadership to articulate a clear stance against this warmongering and to safeguard our citizens," he stated.

Speaking to the press, Venugopal stressed that the opposition was adamantly calling for a parliamentary discussion on the issue, cautioning that India could face dire consequences from the evolving scenario. "Our demand for discussion stems from the fact that India will be significantly impacted. An energy crisis is unfolding globally, fuel prices are climbing daily, and many are already in distress. The government must engage in dialogue," he insisted.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor echoed the need for an extensive parliamentary debate, highlighting worries over energy security and increasing fuel expenses. "This is a pressing issue affecting the nation deeply. Our energy security is at risk. Oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel today. Furthermore, gas supplies from Qatar have ceased due to force majeure, impacting our factories' gas availability," he explained.

Tharoor noted that while India might need to seek alternate supplies, the situation is already influencing domestic pricing. "LPG costs have risen by Rs 60 just two days ago, and petrol is also expected to increase. This poses a serious challenge for our country. We require a responsible and proactive response from the government," he added.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized the government for its silence amid the severity of the situation. "The government is completely mute and ineffective. The Prime Minister had visited Israel earlier, yet now, as tensions rise, there's no communication from the government," he remarked.

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav stated that the opposition has the traditional right to request clarifications in Parliament. "However, this government is consistently unwilling to provide such clarifications, making any statements inconsequential," he commented.

Congress Rajya Sabha member Rajani Patil also urged the government to permit a parliamentary debate on the crisis and address public inquiries. "Given the situation unfolding in West Asia and the challenges it presents, we want to ensure that the concerns of the populace can be voiced. Yet they simply issue a statement and depart; that isn't our expectation," she lamented.

The opposition parties have been advocating for a thorough government statement and discussion on the West Asia situation, warning that the conflict could greatly impact India’s energy security, fuel prices, and the safety of Indian citizens residing in the Gulf region.