12 Rajya Sabha MPs suspended for protests during monsoon session of Parliament

Nov. 29: The first day of the Winter Session of Parliament witness a heated atmosphere on Monday. Twelve Opposition members of the Rajya Sabha were suspended for the entire winter session on Monday for “unprecedented acts of misconduct”, “unruly and violent behaviour” and “intentional attacks on security person personnel” on 11 August, the last day of the previous monsoon session.

The following MPs were suspended for unruly conduct – Elamaram Kareem (CPM), Phulo Devi Netam (INC), Chhaya Verma (INC), Ripun Bora(INC), Binoy Viswam (CPI), Rajamani Patel (INC), Dola Sen (TMC), Shanta Chhetri (TMC), Syed Nasir Hussain(INC), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena), Anil Desai (Shiv Sena) and Akhilesh Prasad Singh (INC).

Seeking action against them earlier in the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi wrote to Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu and said the monsoon session of Parliament was the most “reprehensible and shameful session in the history of our Parliamentary democracy.”

The Lok Sabha passed the bill repealing the three farm laws amid sloganeering by the Opposition. Several MPs from the Opposition, including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, criticised passing the bill without debate. The bill was later passed in the Rajya Sabha as well. Ahead of the parliament session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government is ready to discuss every issue provided the dignity of the Parliament and the Chair is maintained.

A joint statement from 14 opposition parties stated, “The leaders of the opposition parties unitedly condemn the unwarranted and undemocratic suspension of the 12 members in violation of all the Rules of Procedure of Rajya Sabha pertaining to suspension of members for the entire duration of the winter session,”