All Parliament suspensions revoked ahead of Budget Session
The suspension of 11 Rajya Sabha MPs was revoked by the House ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, which will begin on Wednesday. They were among the 146 lawmakers suspended during the Parliament Winter Session in December. The MPs had staged protests demanding a statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach, leading to suspensions. Of these 146, 132 MPs were suspended for the session, and their suspension was lifted upon its conclusion last month.
Why does this story matter?
During the Parliament Winter Session, 146 opposition MPs were suspended for alleged "unruly conduct." The suspensions came amid the opposition's protests against the security breach in the Parliament last month. The MPs also demanded that either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Shah address the matter in the House. The opposition later criticized the "mass suspension." Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge even described the move as "premeditated."
Suspension revoked to create inclusive session: Pralhad Joshi
The case of the remaining 14 suspended MPs—11 from the Rajya Sabha and three from the Lok Sabha—was referred to the privileges committees of both Houses. On January 12, the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha lifted the suspension of three Lok Sabha MPs. The Rajya Sabha MPs' suspension was revoked on Tuesday. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the decision was aimed at creating a more inclusive and efficient session.
Watch: Joshi's full statement here
Last Budget Session before 2024 Lok Sabha elections
The upcoming Budget Session, commencing with President Droupadi Murmu's address on Wednesday and concluding on February 9, assumes significance. It is expected to feature debates on the president's speech and the Vote of Accounts, with the interim budget scheduled for presentation on Thursday. This will also be the final Budget Session before the Lok Sabha elections.
About the recent Parliament security breach
On December 13, 2023, two men—Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D—jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery, setting off smoke bombs and raising slogans. Two others, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad, orchestrated a similar protest outside the Parliament simultaneously before getting arrested. Investigating the Parliament security breach, the Delhi Police has apprehended six individuals for their involvement in the planned attack.
