Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 9: Members of the opposition staged a protest inside the Parliament complex on Monday, criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what they called a lack of response to the escalating conflict in the Gulf region and its possible consequences for India.

The demonstration was led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, along with MPs from the INDIA bloc, who accused the government of remaining silent despite growing concerns about the impact of the crisis on India’s economy and the safety of Indians living abroad.

Congress MP and party general secretary K. C. Venugopal shared details of the protest on social media platform X, stating that Opposition MPs had gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister’s “complete silence” on the issue.

Venugopal warned that ordinary citizens could face the consequences of the crisis, particularly through rising energy costs. He pointed out that LPG cylinder prices had already increased and said Indians working in Gulf countries were currently stuck in a volatile situation. According to him, the country needed decisive leadership to take a clear stand against the growing tensions and to ensure the safety of Indian nationals in the region.

Speaking to reporters, Venugopal said the Opposition was demanding that the government allow a discussion on the matter in Parliament. He cautioned that India could be significantly affected if the conflict continued to escalate. He noted that energy prices were rising globally and that increasing fuel costs were already creating difficulties for many people.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also stressed the need for a detailed debate in Parliament, saying the issue had serious implications for India’s energy security. He noted that international oil prices had crossed $100 per barrel and that gas supplies from Qatar had been halted due to force majeure, which was already affecting supply to Indian industries.

Tharoor added that while India might look for alternative energy sources, the disruption was already influencing domestic fuel prices. He pointed out that LPG prices had increased by ?60 recently and warned that petrol prices could also rise, making the situation more challenging for the country. He urged the government to respond with a proactive and responsible approach.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticised the government for not speaking out on the crisis despite its seriousness. He said that although the Prime Minister had previously visited Israel, the government was now maintaining silence as tensions in the region intensified.

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav also questioned the government’s approach, saying the Opposition had the right to seek clarifications when statements were made in Parliament. However, he alleged that the government rarely entertained such requests, which made official statements less meaningful.

Congress Rajya Sabha member Rajani Patil echoed the demand for a parliamentary discussion. She said the evolving situation in West Asia was creating concerns among the public and Parliament should be allowed to address those questions. Simply issuing a statement without debate, she said, was not sufficient.

Opposition parties have been urging the government to present a detailed statement in Parliament and permit a comprehensive discussion on the crisis in West Asia. They argue that the conflict could have major implications for India’s energy supplies, fuel prices, and the safety of Indian citizens working in Gulf countries.