New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu today declared that eight Opposition MPs have been suspended for a week for unruly behaviour in Parliament yesterday. Those suspended are Derek O’Brien, KK Ragesh, Dola Sen, Syed Nazir Hussain, Sanjay Singh, Rajiv Sattav, Ripun Bora and Elamaram Karim.
Later, MPs of opposition parties, including the suspended MPs, held a protest in front of Gandhi statue in Parliament, against the suspension.
Amid the pandemonium Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 9 am tomorrow.
Speaking on the suspension of the parliamentarians, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of killing democracy. The TMC chief further said that she will fight against the ‘facist’ government in parliament and on the streets. The opposition has maintained that the members should have been given a chance to explain, while the Rajya Sabha said the decision was based on a government motion.
Expressing his disappointment over a “bad day for Rajya Sabha”, Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu said some members snatched microphones and abused the deputy chairman.
“Rule book was also thrown at him. This is unfortunate, unacceptable and tarnishes the image of Parliament. If marshals were not called, I wonder what would have happened.”
On Sunday the Upper House witnessed unruly scenes when Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien approached the Chair and tried to snatch a mike while citing from the rule book. When his objections were overruled, an aggressive O’Brien tore the rule book by calling the Bills “Kala Kanoon” or black laws, leading to adjournment of the House for a brief period.
The trouble started during the passing of the agriculture reform bills in Parliament through voice vote. As per Naidu, the suspensions have been done for unruly behaviour with the chair. Parliament Affairs Minister V Muraleedharan had moved a notice seeking the suspensions for the rest of the session.
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Opposition members had stormed the well of the House, disregarding social distancing norms, and “heckling” the chair. Despite several requests, many opposition members reached the Well of the House to register their protests against the Farm Bills.
-India Legal Bureau