Unprecedented Suspension of 92 MPs Ignites Parliament Turmoil
A total of 78 MPs both from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced suspension today after their protest demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding last week’s security breach in Parliament. This adds to the 14 MPs suspended last week for a similar demand, bringing the total number of suspended MPs in this session to a staggering 92.
In the Lok Sabha, 30 MPs got suspended for the rest of the session, while three others faced suspension after the privileges committee submitted a report on their conduct.
The Rajya Sabha has suspended 35 members for the rest of the session and 11 until a report from the privileges panel is received. The suspension spree began with the exclusion of Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, who sought a discussion on the security breach.
Prominent figures affected in the Lok Sabha include Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress’s leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, the deputy leader of the Congress in the House, and Trinamool MPs such as Kalyan Banerjee, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Saugata Ray, and Satabdi Roy.
In the Rajya Sabha, the suspended list includes Congress’s Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Singh Surjewala, DMK’s Kanimozhi, and RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha.
Amidst the turmoil, Mr. Chowdhury accused the government of acting dictatorially, turning Parliament into a BJP headquarters. He emphasized the opposition’s cooperation with the government throughout the session, expressing disappointment with the government’s reluctance to engage in meaningful discussions.
Gaurav Gogoi echoed these sentiments, accusing the BJP government of suppressing the opposition and alleging that the Home Minister is avoiding accountability for the security breach. He vowed that their protest would continue outside the Lok Sabha.
In Rajya Sabha, Vice-President and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar lamented the deliberate ignorance of the bench by many members, expressing concern about the dysfunctionality of the house.
Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge raised alarm, stating that with an Opposition-less Parliament, the government could now push through legislation without debate, potentially crushing dissent.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to social media to emphasize that the opposition’s protest stems from the government’s refusal to address their demand for a statement from the Home Minister. He criticized the Home Minister’s failure to fulfill his duty and responsibility.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first remarks on the security breach, acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but asserted that there was “no need to debate” it.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has consistently maintained that the security inside the House falls under the secretariat’s purview and resisted any intervention from the Centre.
Shocking scenes played out in the Lok Sabha chamber Wednesday when two intruders jumped from desk to desk and deployed coloured smoke from canisters. Their co-accused staged a similar protest outside the Parliament. They have told investigators that their objective was to draw attention to Manipur violence, unemployment and farmers’ problems. A total of six people have been arrested in connection with a case so far. Delhi Police have invoked the stringent anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, against the trespassers.
