Parliament in disarray: 14 opposition MP's suspended over protests of security breaches - The India Saga

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Parliament in disarray: 14 opposition MP’s suspended over protests of security breaches

A day after two men with smoke cans broke through security and leapt into the Lok Sabha chamber from the…

Parliament in disarray: 14 opposition MP’s suspended over protests of security breaches

A day after two men with smoke cans broke through security and leapt into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery in Parliament, opposition MPs’ demands for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a discussion of the breach, turned into a full-fledged conflict between the Opposition and the government on Thursday.

This resulted in contentious scenes, several adjournments, and the suspension of 14 MPs for the balance of the Winter Session: 13 from the Lok Sabha and one from the Rajya Sabha.

A complaint was filed against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), an anti-terror law. The anti-terror unit particular cell is looking into the situation.

On Thursday, the parliamentary proceedings proceeded under heightened security. Security personnel kept a close eye on things all day. Before entering the Parliament entry gates, each visitor was required to present a valid entry pass and other documentation, a Delhi police official stated

Parthiban’s name was removed from the list of Lok Sabha members suspended earlier in the day, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, because staff members misidentified the member.

Derek O’Brien of the TMC was suspended from the Rajya Sabha, while up to thirteen opposition MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha for interfering with the proceedings. Manickam Tagore, Benny Behanan, V K Sreekandan, Mohammad Jawed, Hibi Eden, T N Prathapan, Jothimani, Ramya Haridas, and Dean Kuriakose of the Congress, P R Natarajan and S Venkatesan of the CPM, Kanimozhi of the DMK, and K Subbarayan of the CPI are the 13 members.

The Opposition INDIA bloc referred to the move as “dictatorial” and declared that they would keep pushing for Shah to make a statement in both Houses.

Senior ministers, however, requested that the Opposition refrain from politicizing the matter and informed the two Houses that a high-level investigation had already been ordered into the Wednesday incident.

The BJP president J P Nadda, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Anurag Thakur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah met earlier.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned lawmakers to use caution when issuing visitor passes to individuals during his speech in the Lok Sabha. “I have faith in the future. All Members of Parliament, whether from the Treasury or the Opposition, must be vigilant and cautious. Whom we grant passes to ought not to enter the House and instigate chaos. The Opposition, as well as the Treasury, must make sure of this. There have also been protests, paper throwing, and jumping in our previous Parliament. Together, we must denounce it, he said.

Derek O’Brien was suspended by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for “unruly behavior” and “misconduct” after the TMC floor leader approached the chairman’s podium and began yelling slogans.

Senior ministers Goyal in the Rajya Sabha and Joshi in the Lok Sabha pleaded with the Opposition not to politicize the breach in both Houses. Opposition members in both Houses demanded action against Pratap Simha, a BJP MP, who had suggested visitor passes for the two men who had leapt into the Lok Sabha chamber on Wednesday. They also held signs calling for Shah’s resignation.

The 13 MPs were suspended in two phases on motions submitted independently by Minister Joshi when the demonstrations persisted in the afternoon.

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