Jaishankar arrived here on Tuesday to represent India at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

A ‘satsang’ gathering in Uttar Pradesh addressed by self-styled godman Suraj Pal, known as Bhole Baba to his followers, descended into chaos and tragedy as a stampede resulted in the death of 121 people. The incident, which occurred in Hathras, was reportedly triggered by a frenzied rush to collect dust under the godman’s feet, leading to a deadly crush where men, women, and children were trampled underfoot.

A video that has gone viral on social media shows the godman leaving the venue in his car and hundreds of devotees running behind his car to gather the dust as a token of blessings.

Suraj Pal, alias Bhole Baba, has been known for his controversial ‘satsangs’ and has a history of legal troubles, including allegations of sexual assault. Despite multiple cases filed against him in various jurisdictions including Agra, Etawah, Kasganj, Farrukhabad, and Rajasthan, he continues to command a considerable following, drawn to his promises of spiritual enlightenment and blessings.

Born in Bahadur Nagar, Kasganj, Suraj Pal had a stint in the police department before facing legal troubles in 1997 related to allegations of sexual assault, for which he served time in prison. Upon his release, he reinvented himself as ‘Saakar Vishwa Hari Baba’, attracting devotees to his ashram in his ancestral village.

Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar lashed out Tuesday as opposition MPs – who joined their Lok Sabha colleagues in staging a vociferous protest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – walked out of the House during a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Opposition MPs walked out after Mr Dhankhar initially refused Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition, permission to intervene as Mr Modi spoke. Loud chants of “LoP ko bolne do“, or “let the LoP speak”, were heard, as were plaintive appeals from Mr Kharge, asking for permission.

As the MPs walked out, Mr Dhankhar accused them of disrespecting the Constitution.

“I am pained by this. They have not only left the House… but also their dignity. They did not show their backs to me… but to the Constitution. They have not disrespected me… they have disrespected their oath. There is nothing worse than this disrespect,” he raged.

“They have challenged the Constitution. Sitting in this chair, I am hurt to see such disrespect. They have made a joke of the Constitution. The Constitution is not just a book to hold in your hand. I hope they will reflect on this and remember their duty…” he said. 

The reference to the Constitution as “not just a book to hold in your hand” has been seen by many as a swipe at opposition leaders who took their oaths while holding a copy. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was among those to be sworn in with the Constitution in his hand.

The Constitution was a major issue in the 2024 general election, with the Congress and other opposition parties warning voters the BJP planned to change key aspects.

READ | Bharat Jodo Chants, Constitution In Hand, Rahul Gandhi Takes Oath As MP

The BJP countered by flagging, as they do every year, the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Emergency, Mr Modi said last month, reminds us of how the Congress “subverted basic freedoms and trampled over the Constitution, which every Indian respects greatly”.

The walkout also followed Mr Modi’s “auto pilot” swipes at former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who is now a Rajya Sabha MP. Mrs Gandhi is frequently accused by the BJP of running the UPA I and II governments, led by Dr Manmohan Singh, from behind the scenes.

As the opposition walked out, Mr Modi took a swipe of his own, mocking his rivals and critics for not listening to his reply to questions they had raised. “The country is watching… those who spread lies do not have strength to hear the truth. Those who do not have courage to face truth… do not have courage to listen to answers to questions… They are insulting the glorious tradition of the Upper House.”

READ | PM’s “Remote” Swipe At Sonia, Opposition Walks Out Of Rajya Sabha

On Tuesday it was the Lok Sabha that witnessed chaos – screaming MPs, an apoplectic Speaker, and a Prime Minister shouting at the top of his voice.

Mr Modi – standing up to speak on the Motion of Thanks following President Droupadi Murmu’s joint address last week – faced a furious wall of noise from the moment he began, with the opposition heckling and screaming at him on a range of issues – from his silence over the violent ethnic conflict in Manipur to leaked question papers for the NEET-UG medical tests.

READ | Screaming Opposition Vs Shouting PM In Parliament Face-Off

And, in dramatic scenes Monday, the PM intervened, twice, as did union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, delivered a fiery speech.

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