Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge
The BJP currently has no opposition in either Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha following the suspension of 141 MPs for disruptive behaviour. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who was also suspended from the Rajya Sabha, posted on X (earlier known as Twitter) on Wednesday that Prime Minister and BJP intend to establish “single party rule” of this nature.
Kharge slams BJP for security breach in Parliament
“They talk of Ek Akela which is akin to demolishing democracy. This is precisely what they have done by suspending Opposition MPs. Instead of punishing the people in high ranks for this shameful security lapse, they have snatched away the democratic rights of MOs, thereby escaping accountability,” Kharge wrote.
The head of the Congress questioned why Ptarap Simha, a BJP MP who “facilitated the entry of the intruders,” had not been taken into custody yet. “Apparently the intruders have been planning this since months, who is responsible for this massive intelligence failure?” Kharge asked.
141 MPs have been suspended because they wanted a statement from the Home Minister on the grave security breach.
6 intruders have been booked under anti-terror, UAPA law.
The BJP MP who facilitated the entry of the intruders, remains scot-free and has not yet been questioned.…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 20, 2023
The major security lapse incident
On December 13, the anniversary of the attack on the Parliament building in 2001, two men leaped from the visitors’ gallery into the Lok Sabha and sprayed yellow smoke from canisters they had hidden beneath their shoes. They were then allowed to enter the new Parliament building as guests. Two more were discovered demonstrating in front of Parliament. As the inquiry led the police to a well-thought-out plan that had been in the works for at least 1.5 years, the four were taken into custody and harsh anti-terror legislation were applied to them. The opposition leaders asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to comment on the parliamentary security violation. Amid this demand, 141 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs have spoken out.
“Why haven’t senior officers responsible for Parliamentary security made accountable? Heads should have rolled in by now. Apparently the intruders have been planning this since months, who is responsible for this massive intelligence failure? Given the multi-layered security of the Parliament, how did two intruders manage to hide yellow gas canisters in their shoes and enter the building and almost reach the sanctum sanctorum of India’s democracy?” Kharge said.
Also Read: Implications To Be Faced By The Suspended MPs: Lok Sabha Secretariat Releases Circular
Circular for suspended MPs from Lok Sabha Secretariat
The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a circular prohibiting the suspended MPs from visiting the Parliament chamber, lobby, or galleries after the widespread suspension. “As a result, the following consequences arise from their suspension and remain in force during the period of suspension: they cannot enter chambers, Lobby and galleries. They stand suspended from sittings of Parliamentary Committees of which they may be a member, No item is put down in the List of Business in their name,” the circular said.
Prior to this circular, the suspended Members of Parliament were demonstrating inside the Parliament complex. During the demonstration, Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee imitated Rajya Sabha member Jagdeep Dhankhar, which sparked a new argument.
