In Show of Strength, INDIA Bloc Holds Big Protest At Jantar Mantar Against Suspension of MPs

With most of its MPs suspended from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, leaders of the Opposition-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are holding a nationwide protest against the unprecedented suspension in what they call was done in an “undemocratic manner” in the Winter Session of Parliament.

INDIA bloc leaders came together at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against the suspension of 146 of their MPs, while simultaneous agitations took off at all district headquarters against the government's "immoral and illegal" behaviour of this government.

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Meanwhile, the three criminal law reform Bills got Parliament clearance on Thursday with Rajya Sabha passing them, a day after they got Lok Sabha nod. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "these Bills come down heavily on organised crime, terrorism and such offences which strike at the root of our peaceful journey to progress," adding that through them, we have also "bid goodbye to the outdated sections on sedition."

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Opposition's Mega Protest: To protest against the unprecedented suspension of its MPs, Opposition-led INDIA bloc is set to be out on streets across the country, with top leaders of the alliance at Delhi's Jantar Mantar spearheading their stir. INDIA bloc MPs on Thursday also marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk in Delhi to protest the suspension of opposition lawmakers. Congress Mallikarjun Kharge asserting that PM Modi had violated parliamentary privilege by not speaking on the security breach issue inside the House.

Kharge, Rahul at Jantar Mantar: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of INDIA bloc parties are taking part in 'Save Democracy' protest against mass suspension of MPs, at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Making an address at the Jantar Mantar protest,  Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "two-three youths 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."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the leaders of INDIA parties have come together as democracy is under threat under the BJP government. "When all unite, Narendra Modi won't be able to do anything... The more you try to crush us, the more we will rise. We are fighting unitedly to save the country and democracy," Kharge said.

Criminal Law Reform Bills Passed by Parliament: Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the three criminal law reform bills, which the Lok Sabha had cleared on Wednesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday termed the approval of Parliament to the three criminal bills "historic" as the country got its new criminal justice laws. PM Modi also praised the same and said a "goodbye" to the "outdated sedition section".

146 MPs Suspended: The never-seen-before suspension of MPs has been the most striking development this Parliament Winter Session where 146 opposition MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been sacked amid their protest demanding a statement by Home Minister over the December 13 security breach incident. On December 13, two intruders jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the members of Parliament.

Opposition's demand for Amit Shah's statement coupled with their protest led to the never-seen-before suspension of 143 members of Parliament. 

Of the 143 MPs, three were suspended on Thursday (December 21), two on Wednesday (December 20), 49 on Tuesday (December 19), 78 on Monday (December 18) and 14 last week. Ninty seven of the 148 suspended MPs are from Lok Sabha while 46 are Rajya Sabha members.

CEC Bill Passed in Both Houses: Parliament has given nod to Bill that seeks to establish mechanism to appoint chief election commissioner and election commissioners. Centre tabled the bill to regulate the appointment of top election officers in Lok Sabha. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, has already been passed by the Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha also on Thursday passed Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023.

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-Telecommunications Bill Passed by Parliament: A bill allowing the government to temporarily take control of telecom services in the interest of national security, and providing a non-auction route for the allocation of satellite spectrum got Lok Sabha nod on Wednesday and Rajya Sabha clearance on Thursday, with most of Oppositon missing. The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, which was passed by a voice vote after a short debate, also allows the Centre to take possession of a telecom network in case of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety. 

Delhi BJP Protest at Jantar Mantar Against Dhankhar Mimicry: Delhi BJP also on Thursday held a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against "mocking" of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar by TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee and demanded an apology from opposition leaders including Congress's Rahul Gandhi. 

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Several protesters had tied black bands on their foreheads. BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari and Pravesh Sahib Singh were among those who took part in the protest.