NEW DELHI, August 12, 2026 —
Lok Sabha Adjourned Until Noon Amid Opposition Protests Over Ram Temple Donation Row
Lok Sabha adjourned its proceedings until noon on Wednesday after opposition lawmakers continued protesting and demanding a parliamentary discussion on allegations concerning the misuse of donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The disruption began soon after the House assembled at 11 a.m. Opposition members raised slogans despite repeated appeals from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to maintain order and allow parliamentary business to proceed.
Birla urged lawmakers to resolve political and ideological disagreements through debate rather than disruption. He said the public expected Parliament to function even when political parties differed over policies and ideas.
“I request all of you to allow the House to function,” Birla told the protesting members. “We may have differences over policies and ideas, but the country wants to see the House functioning.”
Om Birla Appeals for Parliamentary Debate
As the sloganeering continued, the speaker reminded members that differences in a democracy should be expressed through discussion inside the House.
Birla said he had held both individual and collective consultations with leaders of political parties in an effort to end the continuing deadlock.
“The people of the country believe there may be differences over policies and ideas, but those differences should be expressed through debate,” he said. “That is why I have periodically held individual and collective discussions with leaders of all parties.”
Opposition lawmakers, however, continued raising slogans and pressing their demand for a debate on the allegations surrounding Ram Temple donations.
The allegations remain contested, and the material provided does not include details of any completed investigation or official finding establishing wrongdoing.
Speaker Invokes International Youth Day
Birla also referred to International Youth Day, observed on August 12, and called on lawmakers to discuss issues affecting India’s young population.
He said young Indians had earned international recognition in education, science, space technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. Their achievements, he added, had helped strengthen India’s position globally.
“Today is International Youth Day,” Birla said. “India’s young people have established a distinct identity globally in education, science, space science, technology and entrepreneurship. The country’s youth also want their concerns to be discussed.”
The speaker’s remarks were aimed at persuading members to restore order and resume legislative work. However, the protests continued as opposition MPs remained firm in their demand for accountability and a parliamentary discussion.
Government Ready for Discussion, Speaker Says
Birla told the House that the government had agreed to a discussion and that Home Minister Amit Shah was prepared to make a statement.
He urged the ruling coalition and the opposition to reach an understanding that would allow the House to address the issue as well as other matters awaiting debate.
“The government has also given its consent, and the home minister is prepared to make a statement,” Birla said. “There should therefore be a discussion in the House. Other issues will also be discussed.”
He appealed to lawmakers on both sides to recognize the public’s expectations and protect the dignity of Parliament.
“The country wants Parliament to function,” he said. “Maintaining its dignity is the responsibility of everyone.”
Despite the appeal, opposition members continued their protest and sloganeering. Birla then adjourned the Lok Sabha until noon.
