Jhansi: Uttar Pradesh tourism minister Jaiveer Singh on Saturday criticised the opposition over its recent protest in the Parliament complex, calling it an insult to parliamentary dignity and demanding stricter rules to prevent such incidents in future.Addressing reporters in Jhansi, Singh said Parliament must uphold its constitutional sanctity and should not be turned into what he described as a “street-corner council”. Referring to the opposition’s demonstration in attire associated with Hindu ascetics, he alleged that the protest disrespected both Sanatan traditions and the country’s parliamentary conventions.“Parliament is the highest democratic institution of the country. Its dignity and decorum must be protected at all costs. Such theatrics have no place inside the Parliament complex,” he said, urging the Lok Sabha Speaker to frame clear guidelines to prevent similar protests in future.The minister also responded to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s reported remark that the govt should focus on “changing the country rather than changing attire”. Singh said the country was already witnessing transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that the opposition’s criticism stemmed from its inability to counter the BJP politically.“The country has changed significantly since 2014, and that is precisely what is unsettling the opposition,” he said, claiming that public support for the BJP and the Prime Minister had continued to grow across elections.Commenting on recent student unrest, Singh accused opposition parties of attempting to create instability after successive electoral setbacks. He alleged that they were trying to provoke unrest and create conditions similar to those witnessed in neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh, though he did not provide evidence to support the claim.Asked about the political challenge posed by the Samajwadi Party in the upcoming state assembly elections, including the possible centre-stage role of SP MP Dimple Yadav, Singh dismissed concerns for the BJP, saying voters continued to support the ruling party while recalling what he described as the law-and-order record of previous SP govts.
