The eight members, distributed among Congress, the CPM, the Trinamool Congress and the AAP, were suspended earlier in the day for the remainder of the Monsoon Session for their “rebellious behavior” during the approval of the agricultural bills. in the Upper House of Parliament.
Parliament monsoon session: latest updates
Carrying pillows and blankets at the protest site, the MPs said “we will not give in.”
“The suspension will not silence us. We will support the farmers in their fight. The vice president (Rajya Sabha) strangled the parliamentary procedures yesterday,” said CPM MP Elamaram Kareem, who is among those suspended.
“The suspension of deputies exposed the cowardly face of the BJP. People will see through the attempt to divert attention from their undemocratic actions, “he said.
On Monday, the government filed a motion requesting the suspension of Derek O’Brien (TMC), Sanjay Singh (AAP), Rajeev Satav (Congress), KK Ragesh (CPM), Syed Nazir Hussain (Congress), Ripun Boren (Congress) , Dola Sen (TMC) and Elamaram Kareem (CPM).
The motion was adopted by voice vote amid protests.
Opposition parties such as Congress, CPM, Shiv Sena, JDS, TMC, CPI and the Samajwadi Party are at the protest at the Parliament premises with banners with messages such as “Assassination of democracy”, “Death of parliament” and “Shame. , shame. ”
Said AAP MP Sanjay Singh, “Wake up millions of farmers in the country! The BJP government has mortgaged his life to Adani-Ambani, wake up and oppose this black law. We are in an upheaval in Parliament, they should. agitate outside. The BJP government passed a black law against farmers. They fired us for opposing the bill. ”
“That is why we are sitting in a dharna and we will continue to sit until the BJP government explains why this black law was passed strangling democracy,” he added.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted in support.
“The suspension of the 8 parliamentarians who fought to protect the interests of farmers is regrettable and reflects the mentality of this autocratic government that does not respect democratic norms and principles. We will not bow down and fight against this fascist government in Parliament and in the streets, “he said.
The suspension of the 8 parliamentarians who fought to protect the interests of farmers is regrettable and reflects this autocratic government… https://t.co/6LLbO2EzVr
– Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) 1600666955000
Deputies have brought pillows and blankets, and pedestal fans have been kept on to help them beat the scorching heat. Many of the MPs were seen eating fruit.
“This is going to be an indefinite dharna. We are not giving in,” said a deputy.
The CPM general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, also criticized the government, calling the approval process of these bills a “violation of parliamentary democracy.”
“This violation of all parliamentary procedures and denying MPs the right to discuss and weigh in on the legislation is undermining the basic fabric of Indian parliamentary democracy. The Modi government will not be allowed to destroy Parliament.
“These new laws are illegitimate, illegal and the President of India must return these laws to the Rajya sabha for reconsideration under Article 111 of the Indian Constitution, “he tweeted.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee also spoke with the eight suspended MPs and praised their efforts to “defend the values of Parliament.”
“The WB CM spoke with the parliamentarians for 10 minutes and in their conversation with them appreciated their efforts in the fight against the farmers’ bills, the labor bills and the defense of the values of Parliament,” said a leader of the Trinamool Congress.
Banerjee, who in the morning condemned the government for its action in a tweet, also released an audio clip in which he harshly criticized the BJP, claiming that the party is making a total effort to make the states powerless and all-powerful.
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