Opposition Walkout in Rajya Sabha: A Protest Against Silencing

On Thursday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge led a walkout in the Rajya Sabha, joined by fellow opposition party members, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address. The protest was staged in response to the government's alleged refusal to permit both leaders of the opposition, including Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, to express their views in the parliament.

Kharge criticized the current administration for perpetuating a culture where dissenting voices, like those of the opposition, are stifled. He accused the government of remaining silent while allowing inflammatory remarks by certain members to go unchallenged. According to Kharge, this silence extended to disrespecting the legacy of leaders who once fought for India’s independence.

The decision to walk out was framed as a stance against what the opposition considers to be an ongoing pattern of denial of their speaking rights. Kharge noted the protest was also a direct response to what he termed as insults towards freedom fighters who laid the groundwork for India's democracy.