New Delhi: 33 Opposition MPs on Monday were suspended for the rest of the Winter Session following their protest within the chamber, demanding Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address the House regarding the major security breach in Parliament last week. This new wave of suspensions comes after 13 Opposition MPs faced similar consequences last week for demanding a statement from the Home Minister.
Winter Session | A total of 33 Opposition MPs, including Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, suspended from the Parliament today.#WinterSession #LokSabha #ParliamentSecurityBreach pic.twitter.com/ymmoV5GU5p
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) December 18, 2023
Earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X that the Opposition is protesting due to the government’s rejection of their demand for a statement by the Home Minister.
“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,” Ramesh said in the post.
In his initial remarks on the security breach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Dainik Jagran newspaper in an interview that the incident was “very serious.” He also said that there is “no need to debate” this and added the necessity for a “detailed investigation.”
Regarding the Opposition’s request for the Home Minister’s statement, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has maintained that the responsibility for security within the House falls under the secretariat’s jurisdiction, and they won’t permit the Centre to intervene. “The government cannot intervene in (responsibilities of) Lok Sabha secretariat. We will not allow that either,” he said last week.
Two intruders leaped from desk to desk and released colored smoke from canisters, creating a tense situation in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Outside Parliament, two others a man and a woman staged a similar protest. The arrested accused informed investigators that their goal was to bring attention to issues related to Manipur violence, unemployment, and farmers’ problems. A total of six people have been arrested, and Delhi Police have invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a stringent anti-terror law, against the trespassers.