In a heated turn of events during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, 33 Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have been suspended from the Lok Sabha. The suspension follows a major security breach on December 13, coinciding with the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 terror attack on Parliament.
The disruptions in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha intensified as the Opposition called for a statement from Union Minister Amit Shah, with some even demanding his resignation in the wake of the security breach incident.
The Lok Sabha, which has been at the center of the storm, saw 14 MPs, including Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien, being suspended on Friday. The last week of the Winter Session has been marked by upheaval, especially after the security breach incident on Wednesday. The Rajya Sabha experienced two consecutive adjournments, with proceedings scheduled to resume at 2 pm.
Amidst the chaos, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to reconsider the suspension of the 13 parliamentarians. Chowdhury emphasized that the suspended members were seeking explanations from the government on crucial issues, and it would be appropriate to hear their concerns and points of view. He called for a holistic review of the factors leading to the suspension, advocating for appropriate action to revoke the suspensions and restore order in the House.
While the Parliament faced internal strife, the government pushed forward with legislative business. Today, the Telecommunications Bill 2023 was presented in the Lok Sabha. Additionally, the Union government aims to pass three new criminal codes and a bill related to a panel for selecting election commissioners before the conclusion of the winter session.
In response to the suspensions, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, expressed strong disapproval, stating, “First, intruders attacked Parliament. Then Modi Govt attacking Parliament & Democracy. All Democratic norms are being thrown into the dustbin by an autocratic Modi Govt by suspending 47 MPs.” Kharge outlined two key demands: a statement from the Union Home Minister on the breach in Parliament security and a detailed discussion on the same.
Kharge raised concerns about the implications of having an Opposition-less Parliament, warning that the Modi Government could potentially push through important legislations, crush dissent, and avoid meaningful debates without any effective opposition.
As the winter session unfolds, the political atmosphere remains charged, with the suspended MPs seeking a reconsideration of their suspension and the Opposition demanding accountability and discussions on critical issues facing the nation. The developments in Parliament will continue to be closely monitored as the session progresses.
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