141 MPs suspended from the Parliament; “Namocracy in all its tyranny”, says Congress

As many as 49 Opposition MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha on Tuesday for alleged “serious misconduct” for the remainder of the winter session of the Parliament. The Parliament resumed to a rocky start with massive protests from the Opposition in both houses, over their demand of a statement from Union Minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach. The fresh round of suspension comes after 78 Opposition MPs from both the houses were collectively suspended, and earlier this week, 14 MPs were suspended. The series of mass suspensions have taken the tally up to a staggering 141 MPs who have been suspended in a single session, highest in the history of the Indian Parliament.

The list of suspended members include Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, and Karti Chidambaram, NCP representative Supriya Sule, Samajwadi Party's Dimple Yadav, and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah. A total of 141 MPs were suspended for the remainder of the winter session for their persistent demand of statements from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, as well as a discussion on the recent breach of Parliament security.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh lashed out at the BJP Government and said that a “complete purge” is being executed to facilitate the passage of “draconian bills”. “A complete purge is being executed so that draconian Bills are passed without any meaningful debate, and so that the BJP MP who facilitated entry of the two intruders into the Lok Sabha on December 13th goes scot-free. The new Parliament reflects Namocracy in all its tyranny,” posted the Congress leader.

“For the first time in my parliamentary career of nearly 15 years, I too entered the well of the House holding a placard calling for a discussion on the recent security breach. I did so out of solidarity with my @INCIndia colleagues, who have been unjustly suspended for demanding accountability from the government. I expect suspension to follow. It is a badge of honour to be defenestrated by an unfair process,” Congress MP Sashi Tharoor had posted this on “X” earlier today and was later suspended for his alleged misconduct in the Lok Sabha.

Taking a swipe at the Union Government, former TMC MP Mahua Moitra who was expelled from the Parliament for her role in the alleged “cash-for-query” scam took to “X” and said, “Total of 141 Opposition MPs suspended. Next Adani Annual Shareholders meeting to be held in Lok Sabha Chamber.”

“Those speaking the truth and asking questions have been suspended from the House today. The public is seeing the kind of dirty politics happening in the Parliament.” stated AAP Lok Sabh MP Sushil Kumar Rinku.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla has maintained that matters relating to security incidents within the House fall within the jurisdiction of the secretariat, and the central government will not be allowed to intervene.

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. Earlier today the Prime Minister asserted that the Opposition were “rattled by the poll losses” and that explains their conduct in the Parliament.

The suspensions issued today followed disruptions caused by Opposition members who raised slogans and approached the Well of the House. MPs displayed placards, with some even holding morphed images of Prime Minister Modi. The Speaker stated that bringing placards into the House violated the established rules, and the House was adjourned soon after.