2 more opposition MPs suspended as Parliament standoff continues
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday suspended two more MPs from the opposition parties for the remainder of the Winter Session of Parliament for "misconduct," PTI reported. Both the suspended members, Thomas Chazhikadan and AM Ariff, are from Kerala. Chazhikadan is from the Kerala Congress (Mani), while Ariff is a lawmaker of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM).
Why does this story matter?
A whopping 144 opposition MPs have been suspended during the Parliament Winter Session so far. The action followed their alleged "unruly conduct" while protesting the recent Parliament security breach and demanding Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement. On December 13, two individuals, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, jumped into the Lok Sabha's chamber from the visitors' gallery, shouting slogans and setting off smoke canisters.
Watch: Announcement by acting speaker
144 opposition MPs suspended from Parliament so far
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi moved the motion to suspend the two MPs after they allegedly displayed placards and entered the Well of the House. The Winter Session, which began on December 4, saw 14 MP suspensions on December 14, 79 on Monday, 49 on Tuesday, and two more on Wednesday. The opposition parties protested against the action, terming it "undemocratic."
Know reason for opposition protest
Opposition leaders are protesting the Centre's alleged silence over December 13's Parliament security breach. While the Home Ministry ordered a probe into the incident at the request of the LS Secretariat, opposition leaders are demanding a statement in Parliament from PM Narendra Modi or Shah. They have also demanded strict action against BJP MP Pratap Simha, whose office issued visitor passes to Parliament intruders.
What we know about Parliament security breach
On December 13, the accused intruders—Sharma and Manoranjan—reportedly jumped into the Lok Sabha's well from the visitors' gallery, shouting slogans and setting off smoke bombs. Two other protestors, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde, staged a similar demonstration outside the Parliament simultaneously. Later, two other individuals were arrested in connection with the case. They are currently in police custody.
