The Congress on Monday termed "undemocratic" and "one-sided" the suspension of eight Opposition Rajya Sabha MPs, including three of its own, with Rahul Gandhi saying the "muting of democratic India” continues by initially silencing and later by suspending the parliamentarians.
The suspension of the eight members comes a day after the Upper House witnessed unprecedented unruly scenes by protesting opposition members during the passage of two farm bills. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday also rejected a notice for a no confidence motion against Deputy Chairman Harivansh on the grounds that proper procedure was not followed.
" 'Muting Of Democratic India' continues: by initially silencing and later, suspending MPs in the Parliament & turning a blind eye to farmers' concerns on the black agriculture laws," Gandhi said in a tweet.
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"This 'omniscient' Govt's endless arrogance has brought economic disaster for the entire country," the former Congress chief said.
Rajya Sabha on Monday suspended eight members, including TMC leader Derek O'Brien, a day after the House witnessed unprecedented unruly scenes by protesting opposition members during the passage of farm bills.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu also rejected a notice for no-confidence motion against deputy chairman Harivansh on the grounds that proper procedure was not followed.
Naidu condemned the unruly behaviour and "threats" to Harivansh during the passage of the farm bills.
Shortly thereafter, Parliamentary Affairs Ministers read out a motion seeking suspension of eight members for the remainder of the session.
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Naidu put the motion to vote and it was carried by voice vote.
However, opposition members protested against the decision, leading to adjournment of the proceedings for about 20 minutes.
Two key farm bills, dubbed as the biggest reform in agriculture by the government, were on Sunday passed by Rajya Sabha with voice vote amid unprecedented unruly scenes by protesting opposition members who were demanding that the proposed legislation be referred to a House panel for greater scrutiny.
