In a dramatic turn of events, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, along with 48 other Opposition MPs, faced suspension minutes after entering the Well of Lok Sabha in protest. Tharoor, in a pre-suspension post on social media platform X, expressed his anticipation of suspension, citing it as a “badge of honour” in the face of what he deemed an unfair process.
For the first time in my parliamentary career of nearly 15 years, I too entered the well of the House holding a placard calling for a discussion on the recent security breach. I did so out of solidarity with my @INCIndia colleagues, who have been unjustly suspended for demanding…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 19, 2023
The Thiruvananthapuram MP clarified that his participation in the protest was an act of solidarity with party colleagues who had already been suspended for demanding government accountability. The suspension, however, did not deter Tharoor, who, speaking to media outside the House, criticized the move as a “one-sided,” “unfair,” and a “betrayal of parliamentary democracy.”
The suspension wave, initiated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, cited unruly behavior inside the House as grounds for disciplinary action. Notable figures among the suspended MPs included Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Supriya Sule of the NCP, and Dimple Yadav of the Samajwadi Party.
The genesis of the protests lay in the recent security breach in Lok Sabha, prompting Opposition MPs to demand a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The breach involved two intruders entering the Lok Sabha chamber, navigating desks, and releasing colored smoke canisters, raising concerns about the vulnerability of parliamentary security.
However, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla maintained that security incidents fell under the secretariat’s jurisdiction, rejecting government intervention. This stance fueled tensions, leading to the unprecedented wave of suspensions. The suspension spree commenced a day after the security breach, with 13 Lok Sabha MPs and one Rajya Sabha MP initially suspended for unruly behavior. The protest’s resurgence escalated the suspensions to a record 79 across both Houses, marking a contentious chapter in parliamentary proceedings.
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