New Delhi, The Indian Parliament witnessed a significant political development as 78 MPs from the opposition were suspended on Monday. This move came amid ongoing demands from the opposition for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, following a security breach in Parliament.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the suspensions involved 33 members from the Lok Sabha and 45 from the Rajya Sabha. The opposition’s steadfast insistence on a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the December 13 security incident, where protesters entered the lower house and released smoke cans, led to these suspensions. With Monday’s action, the total number of opposition MPs suspended from both houses has reached 92 since last Thursday, centered around the same issue.
Sanjay Singh, a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had already been suspended as a Rajya Sabha member from July 24. On Thursday, 13 members were suspended from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Winter Session for protesting with placards about the security breach. Similarly, Trinamool member Derek O’Brien was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for unruly behavior during the session.
The Lok Sabha suspensions on Monday included floor leaders of the Congress and DMK, with 30 members suspended for the remainder of the Winter Session and three pending the report of the Privileges Committee. These three members had climbed onto the Speaker’s podium to raise slogans.
Speaker Om Birla addressed the Lok Sabha regarding the security breach and sought cooperation for smooth proceedings. Despite this, opposition members continued their protest, demanding a statement and resignation from Amit Shah. Their use of placards in the Lok Sabha, deemed as lowering the House’s dignity, was met with objections from both Birla and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
The Rajya Sabha experienced similar action, with members suspended following a motion moved by Leader of the House Piyush Goyal. This motion aimed at the suspension of 34 MPs for the remainder of the session and referring the conduct of 11 other opposition MPs to the privileges committee.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP government for attempting to pass important legislation without adequate opposition presence and debate, describing it as an attempt to create an “Opposition-less” Parliament.
This series of suspensions marks a turbulent period in Indian parliamentary proceedings, highlighting the escalating tensions between the government and the opposition over key issues.