Cong MP Tariq Anwar breaks with Opposition over toy monkey protest in Parliament
Synopsis
A senior Congress MP publicly rebuked his own party's 'toy monkey' protest on the final day of the Monsoon Session — a rare intra-Opposition split that overshadowed the substantive demands being raised: accountability for the July 20 student crackdown and the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation controversy.
Key Takeaways
Congress MP Tariq Anwar publicly criticised the Opposition's toy monkey protest at the Parliament complex on 13 August , citing dignity concerns.
Pawan Khera , Hibi Eden , and Jebi Mather led the demonstration alongside MPs from Samajwadi Party , Shiv Sena (UBT) , and NCP (SP) .
Protesters demanded answers from Home Minister Amit Shah on alleged police excesses during the July 20 student march and alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement.
NDA MPs staged a simultaneous counter-protest at Makar Dwar , targeting Rahul Gandhi over the Jharkhand 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, closing the Monsoon Session without resolution on either demand.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar on Thursday, 13 August publicly distanced himself from the Opposition's 'toy monkey' demonstration inside the Parliament complex on the final day of the Monsoon Session, saying members of Parliament must uphold the dignity of both the House and their office. The protest, which drew participation from multiple opposition parties, has now sparked an internal debate within the Opposition bloc itself.
What the Protest Involved
Several opposition MPs — including Congress leaders Pawan Khera, Hibi Eden, and Jebi Mather — gathered at the Parliament complex holding soft toy monkeys and raising slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre. Khera led the demonstration, visibly holding a monkey soft toy. MPs from the Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and other parties also participated.
Anwar's Public Rebuke
'I believe that we should always be careful to maintain the dignity of the House as well as the dignity of our position as MPs,' Anwar said in remarks to reporters. His comments are notable because they represent a rare instance of a senior Congress MP openly criticising a protest action undertaken by his own party colleagues on the same day it occurred.
What the Opposition Was Demanding
The protesting MPs were seeking answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on two specific issues: the alleged police excesses against student agitators during the July 20 Parliament march linked to the NEET paper leak controversy, and the alleged embezzlement of donations made at Ayodhya's Ram Temple. Placards also questioned Shah's reported absence from Parliament proceedings.
NDA Counter-Protest and Face-Off
Simultaneously, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs staged their own counter-demonstration at the Parliament's Makar Dwar, coming face to face with opposition MPs in a tense stand-off. NDA members held placards targeting Congress and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the alleged police action against protesters during the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march in Jharkhand.
Shah-Gandhi Exchange Sharpens the Divide
The protests came a day after Home Minister Shah stated on Wednesday that he was 'ready to answer everything' regarding the July 20 student march crackdown, while accusing the Opposition of deliberately blocking a parliamentary discussion. Rahul Gandhi rejected the offer, saying the Opposition was not interested in the Home Minister's 'imagination or lectures', and demanded accountability for orders allegedly given to 'shoot' at protesters. The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, closing the session without resolution on either demand.
Point of View
It signals either a genuine strategic disagreement about optics or a deeper fault line about how the Opposition should prosecute its case against the government. The substantive demands — accountability for the July 20 crackdown and the Ram Temple donation controversy — are serious enough to stand on their own. Reducing them to a prop-based demonstration risks letting the BJP reframe the narrative around Opposition theatrics rather than government accountability. The Monsoon Session ends with neither demand answered and the Opposition visibly divided on method, if not intent.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Congress MP Tariq Anwar criticise the toy monkey protest?
Tariq Anwar said MPs must always maintain the dignity of the House and of their position as elected representatives. His remarks came after Congress colleagues Pawan Khera, Hibi Eden, and Jebi Mather participated in the demonstration holding soft toy monkeys inside the Parliament complex on 13 August.
What were the Opposition MPs protesting about in Parliament?
Opposition MPs were demanding answers from Home Minister Amit Shah on two issues: alleged police excesses against student protesters during the July 20 Parliament march over the NEET paper leak, and alleged embezzlement of donations made at Ayodhya's Ram Temple. Some placards also questioned Shah's reported absence from Parliament.
What was the NDA's counter-protest about?
NDA MPs staged a simultaneous demonstration at Parliament's Makar Dwar, targeting Congress and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over alleged police action against protesters during the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march in Jharkhand.
What did Home Minister Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi say about the student march issue?
On Wednesday, Shah said he was 'ready to answer everything' on the July 20 student crackdown but accused the Opposition of blocking a parliamentary discussion. Gandhi rejected this, saying the Opposition was not interested in the minister's 'imagination or lectures' and demanded accountability for orders allegedly given to 'shoot' at protesters.
How did the Monsoon Session end?
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, 13 August, closing the Monsoon Session without resolution on either of the Opposition's key demands — the student crackdown inquiry or the Ram Temple donation controversy.
