Lok Sabha suspends at least 30 Opposition MPs amidst protests over the Parliament scare

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday suspended at least 30 Opposition MPs, including Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, for the remainder of the Winter Session, following their protest holding placards in the House and calling for a statement from Amit Shah over the Parliament security breach. The suspension of the MPs comes after 13 Opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 1 MP from the Rajya Sabha were suspended for demanding the Union Home Minister’s statement on the Parliament scare.

Among the suspended MPs are Gaurav Gogoi, the deputy leader of Congress in the House, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the leader of Congress in Lok Sabha. The list also includes Trinamool MPs Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Kalyan Banerjee, Satabdi Roy, and Saugata Ray, along with DMK members Dayanidhi Maran and A Raja. Pralhad Joshi, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister moved a motion recommending the suspension of the MPs, and it was passed following a voice vote.

"This government has reached the apex of dictatorship. They have the majority, and they are wielding the stick of power. They want to run Parliament like a party office. But that cannot happen. We were eager for a discussion. The productivity of Parliament before December 13 is for all to see. It seems they find it easier to talk to the media, but are scared to speak in Parliament," said Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, alleging that the Union government is not ready to discuss the breach.

Taking to social media platform “X”, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister have spoken to the media on the breach, but have not issued a statement in either of the houses. "The Prime Minister speaks to a leading newspaper on the very serious December 13th security breach in the Lok Sabha. The Home Minister speaks to a TV channel on the security breach. Parliament is in session. INDIA parties are demanding a statement from the Home Minister in both Houses on the shocking incidents. It is a simple, straightforward, and legitimate demand. But Home Minister refuses to make a statement which is his duty and responsibility," posted Jairam Ramesh.

In addition, the Opposition has also been demanding the reinstatement of the suspended MPs. Congress MPs Mohammed Jawaid, Hibi Eden, Benny Behanan, Dean Kuriakose, and CPI(M)'s S Venkatesan staged a protest against the government on the steps of Makar Dwar in Parliament, holding placards.

In an interview with Dainik Jagaran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the incident is of a "very serious" nature. “Investigative agencies are probing rigorously. It is important to know who all are behind this and what plans they have. We should also seek solutions with a single mind. Everyone should refrain from debate, controversy, or resistance on such matters," said PM Modi.

Meanwhile, there was chaos in the Rajya Sabha over the Parliament security breach. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday asserted that it was an “insult" to the Parliament that both Modi and Shah addressed the breach publicly but did not make statements within the parliamentary setting.