Forty-nine Indian opposition lawmakers demanding a debate on the Dec. 13 breach of parliament’s security were suspended from the legislature on Tuesday for allegedly disrupting the House.
Tuesday’s government action came a day after 78 opposition members of parliament were suspended from the rest of parliament’s key winter session. A total of 141 lawmakers – 95 from the lower house (Lok Sabha) and 46 from the upper house (Rajya Sabha) – have been suspended since December 14.
The opposition called the government’s move a “mockery of democracy” as important legislation will be passed without any debate, undermining parliamentary democracy.
The opposition is demanding a debate on the security breach on December 13, when two men jumped into the chamber of the lower house from the visitors’ gallery and opened gas canisters. Their visitor’s pass was provided by a legislator from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to investigate the matter, but chided the opposition for demanding a debate.
Why India Suspended 141 Lawmakers?
Speakers of the upper and lower houses suspended opposition lawmakers for disrupting proceedings after lawmakers demanded a debate and statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on last week’s security breach, during which two men opened gas canisters inside the lower house chamber while a man and woman opened smokestacks outside parliament in the capital Delhi.
Police have laid charges against five individuals in connection with the breach, which has sparked a political row, with the opposition accusing the government of failing to ensure security on the 22nd anniversary of the deadly attack on parliament.
Lower House Speaker Om Birla said security was his responsibility and was conducting a review. He accused the deputies of violating the rules of the chamber. The breach is also being investigated by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
The government plans to introduce controversial bills to replace existing criminal laws in parliament without two-thirds of opposition MPs present in the House.
Was this move politically motivated?
The suspensions have essentially emptied parliament of the opposition, with analysts saying the mass suspensions are unprecedented and in line with Modi’s authoritarian style of operation.
Critics have said the current government is misusing investigative agencies and other institutions to target opposition leaders.
Lawmakers are gone, how will parliament function?
Parliamentary processes can continue after the suspension of opposition lawmakers because the ruling party and its allies will meet the 10 percent quorum with an overwhelming majority.
While bills are usually passed after debate in Parliament, many times in the past they have been passed without any discussion.
What did the Indian government say?
In an interview to a Hindi newspaper, Modi said the security breach in Parliament was very serious and should be thoroughly investigated, but “there was no need to discuss it”.
