Leaders of the opposition-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are expected to take to the streets today to protest against the suspension of a historic number of MPs from Parliament in an “undemocratic manner” during the winter session. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Rahul Gandhi and other members of the alliance will address the protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi at 11 am.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge along with opposition MPs during the protest march against suspension of MPs. (Hindustan Times)Meanwhile, a nationwide protest has also been planned at all district headquarters, Kharge said.
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A series of suspensions occurred in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha following riots in the winter session following the Parliament security incident on December 13 and a statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter was requested. Before the session finally concluded, three more opposition MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha, taking the total number of suspensions to a record 146.
On Thursday, the opposition MPs, including those suspended, marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk to protest against the move by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
During the earlier protests, Kharge urged the government to “behave democratically” and alleged that the BJP had no faith in democracy.
“Parliament is a big panchayat. If you didn't speak in Parliament, where would you speak? It is unfortunate that Home Minister Shah and Prime Minister Modi did not come to the House to inform about the security breach. They talked about issues that should be discussed in the House and outside the House,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Modi violated parliamentary privileges by not speaking on the issue of security breaches inside Parliament.
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