From cries about ‘murder of democracy’ to bemoaning ‘opposition-mukt Parliament’ to charges of disruption and unruly behaviour, the week of 146 MPs' suspension put ‘democracy slide’ back in public debate.
Opposition MPs sought to politicise the issue of security breach in Parliament. But Modi govt could have handled the sensitive security breach in a more refined manner.
MPs Thomas Chazhikadan & A.M. Ariff were suspended Wednesday. Oppn is demanding a statement in the House by Home Minister Amit Shah, while govt says detailed probe should suffice.
The suspension of 12 Maharashtra BJP MLAs in 2021 was as unjustified as the suspension of 141 opposition MPs now. The existence of the Speaker's power under the Lok Sabha rules does not guarantee the constitutionality of their exercise.
Today's suspensions from Lok Sabha take total tally of both Houses to 141 in less than a week. 48% of opposition MPs in Lok Sabha & 32% in Rajya Sabha suspended.
Congress MP told privileges panel he didn't intend to 'insult or hurt' anyone, it is learnt. Motion that led to his suspension was moved after PM’s response to Oppn’s no-confidence motion.
IOC, BPCL, and HPCL have lost about Rs 20,000 crore due to the fuel price freeze. These losses will accumulate on balance sheets, raise borrowing costs, and circle back to the govt as contingent liabilities.
Report on impact of AI emergence—drawing upon depositions from several ministries—confirms that the developments come in the absence of AI laws or considerations over them.
It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.
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