New Delhi: Two more Lok Sabha Opposition members were suspended Wednesday for the remainder of the Winter Session as the government continued to crack down on unruly behaviour over last week’s security breach.
Speaker Om Birla suspended the two Kerala MPs — Thomas Chazhikadan (Kerala Congress, Mani) and A.M. Ariff (CPIM) — for “displaying placards and entering the Well of the House”, according to a PTI report.
With the latest suspensions, the total number of Opposition legislators shown the door from both Houses has risen to 143. Some of them are also facing an inquiry by the Privileges Committee.
The Opposition has kept up the heat on the government about last Wednesday’s security breach in Lok Sabha when two visitors set off smoke canisters in the MPs’ chamber. Six people have been arrested for the breach and five face anti-terror charges.
In light of the recent events, the Opposition’s concerns about Parliament security have intensified, prompting discussions among various political factions.
The Opposition has demanded a statement in the House by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a subsequent debate on the breach and lawmakers’ safety.
The government, on the other hand, has stuck to its decision to conduct a detailed investigation into the intrusion.
Fourteen MPs were suspended on 14 December, 78 on Monday and 49 the day after, making this the highest number to be thrown out in one Parliament session. The Winter Session will end on 22 December.
The Opposition INDIA bloc plans to hold countrywide agitations on 22 December to protest the bulk suspensions. The bloc also passed a resolution condemning the government’s action in its fourth meeting in Delhi Tuesday.