The Lok Sabha’s proceedings on Wednesday morning were disrupted and eventually adjourned following intense protests by Opposition members over the suspension of eight MPs during the ongoing Budget Session. Sloganeering and heated exchanges dominated the House, bringing legislative business to a standstill. The suspensions have further deepened tensions between the government and the Opposition.
The suspended MPs include Congress leaders Hibi Eden, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, and Dean Kuriakose, along with CPI(M) MP S Venkatesan. The members were also seen protesting outside Parliament, holding placards accusing the Prime Minister of being “compromised,” as security personnel maintained a close watch.
The disciplinary action stemmed from uproar in the House after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi insisted on referring to the 2020 standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. According to the government, the MPs violated parliamentary rules and engaged in “unruly behaviour,” including throwing papers at the Chair. The ruling side maintained that such conduct left the Speaker with no option but to act.
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Defending Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadauria accused the BJP of deliberately stifling dissent. He said Gandhi was raising issues of national security on behalf of citizens who voted against the ruling party. Bhadauria alleged that the government creates disruptions whenever sensitive topics are raised to prevent uncomfortable truths from reaching the public.
On Tuesday, Gandhi had clarified that he would not quote from any unpublished memoir or magazine article but intended to briefly mention Chinese actions during the Kailash Range standoff. However, the Chair ruled that he must adhere strictly to parliamentary guidelines while speaking on the motion of thanks to the President’s Address. The disagreement soon escalated into chaos.
As the House resumed later, BJP MP Dilip Saikia, who was in the Chair, named eight Opposition members for disorderly conduct. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju subsequently moved a motion to suspend them for the remainder of the Budget Session, which was adopted amid loud protests. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the motion of thanks to the President’s address later today.
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