Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the government to undertake
detailed excavation of an ancient Buddhist monastery discovered in Kalaburagi in Karnataka while also raising concerns in the House over
the security of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah following a recent attack in Jammu.
Speaking in the house, Kharge called for urgent archaeological work at the Kalaburagi site, saying several historical remains linked to
the spread of Buddhism in the region had not yet been properly studied or preserved. He said he had written to the government requesting a
survey and further excavation of the monastery believed to be connected with the expansion of Buddhism during the period of the Satavahana dynasty.
Kharge told the House that historical records suggest Buddhism spread from Amaravati to regions such as Kalaburagi and Raichur during that period, making the site historically significant. According to him, an initial survey of the monastery discovered in his constituency had
already been completed, but further excavation had not taken place despite repeated requests to the government. “I had earlier requested
a survey of the Buddhist monastery found in my constituency. The survey has been completed, but further excavation has not yet taken
place despite repeated appeals,” he said.
Highlighting the broader historical importance of the region, the Congress leader referred to the influence of renowned Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, who played a significant role in spreading Buddhist teachings and strengthening the monastic tradition across parts of the Indian subcontinent.
Kharge also pointed to the presence of several Buddhist relics and structures along the Bhima River and the Krishna River, saying these sites required proper archaeological exploration and protection. “Further excavation should be carried out. Many such Buddhist temples and symbols exist along these rivers, and they should be taken care of,” he said, urging the government to take steps to preserve the region’s historical and cultural heritage.
In a separate intervention in the Upper House, Kharge raised concerns about the security of Farooq Abdullah following what he described as a life-threatening attack on the veteran leader in Jammu on Wednesday.
Condemning the incident, Kharge said Abdullah’s life could have been in danger had the security personnel accompanying him not responded swiftly.
“The situation could have been very serious if the security personnel present there had not acted immediately,” he said.
Questioning the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Kharge pointed out that law and order in the Union Territory is under the direct control of the central government. “How can such a situation arise when law and order in Jammu and Kashmir is entirely under the control of the central government,” he asked.
The Congress leader argued that the incident reflected a deterioration in the law and order situation in the region and renewed his demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which has been a Union Territory since the reorganisation of the former state in 2019.
According to him, the prevailing atmosphere of insecurity was a consequence of the region being governed directly by the Centre, with law and order falling under the authority of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He said people in the region would feel more secure once governance and policing responsibilities are restored to an elected state government. “The people will not feel secure unless law and order is brought under an elected government,” Kharge said.
The Congress president also warned that the situation reflected growing insecurity for both political leaders and ordinary citizens in the region, adding that those standing for secularism, socialism and national unity were increasingly being pushed into an environment of fear and violence.
The remarks come amid continuing political debate over governance and security in Jammu and Kashmir, with opposition parties reiterating
demands for the restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory.