On Friday, I.N.D.I.A bloc, led by the opposition leaders, initiated a countrywide protest in response to the mass suspension of 146 MPs from Parliament during the Winter Session at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Rahul Gandhi, and other party leaders lead the protest. The MPs displayed placards and banners with messages such as "Save Democracy" and "Democracy is in danger."
The suspensions occurred over the past week as these lawmakers demanded a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding a December 13 security breach, where two intruders stormed the chamber by jumping from the visitors' gallery, releasing yellow smoke canisters.
The primary demand of the opposition MPs was a parliamentary discussion on the December 13 security breach. However, the chairman of both Houses accused the MPs of causing disorder during the proceedings.
Statements by INDIA bloc MPs
Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi at Jantar Mantar said, “Two-three youth entered Parliament and released smoke. At this, BJP MPs ran away. In this incident, there is the question of security breach, but there is another question of why they protested this way. The answer is unemployment in the country."
He criticised the government, claiming it fails to generate employment for the country's youth. Gandhi alleged that the current unemployment situation compels the youth to spend approximately seven and a half hours on their mobile phones.
Accusing the BJP, Gandhi asserted that the government suppresses the voices of the people. He said "The MPs who were suspended are not just individuals but are the voices of the people of India. You have not only insulted the MPs but also silenced the people,"
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-led government of destroying emocracy, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are actively taking steps to undermine the country's democracy and Constitution.
Discussing the I.N.D.I.A bloc, Kharge mentioned that the opposition has forged this alliance as a response to perceived threats posed by the current administration. He highlighted concerns that these individuals in power are allegedly suppressing marginalized communities such as Dalits, laborers, women, and farmers. According to Kharge, the formation of I.N.D.I.A is aimed at safeguarding the nation from such actions.
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, participating in the protest, stated that it aims to send a message that current events are 'wrong for the future of the country.’
"In the history of democracy in the world, 146 MPs have never been suspended... People should know that the democracy is in danger. The protest is to tell the people that whatever is happening is wrong for the future of the country... There is only one solution, people should change this government and bring the INDIA Alliance into power," Mr Tharoor told ANI.
Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely, expressing concern over the mass suspension, stated, "The manner in which democracy is being undermined is a stain on our nation. If an MP raises concerns outside Parliament, the ED issues notices; if within, the Speaker suspends the MP from the House."
CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury echoed criticism against the Centre, stating, "It is imperative to protect democracy from those currently in power. The BJP should be held responsible for the security breach incident in Parliament."
NCP supreme Sharad Pawar declared that the opposition was prepared to pay any price to safeguard democracy.
On Thursday, suspended MPs staged a march from the Parliament building to Vijay Chowk in protest of the widespread suspension of opposition lawmakers. In a parallel event, Opposition leaders conducted a separate protest march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk, expressing their objection to the suspensions during the proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
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