In a tumultuous session at the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar strongly objected to Trinamool Congress’ suspended MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicking him during a protest within the Parliament premises. Dhankhar deemed the mimicry ‘ridiculous’ and ‘unacceptable.’ The incident occurred as Kalyan Banerjee, among other suspended MPs, staged a demonstration at Parliament’s Makar Dwar, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi capturing the mimicry on his phone.
Upon the House reconvening at noon after an adjournment, Dhankhar addressed the incident, emphasizing the distinction between the offices of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, and the Speaker. He expressed dismay over a senior leader video-graphing another member from a different party and condemned the mimicry of the Chairman and the Speaker as “ridiculous, shameful, and unacceptable.” Subsequently, he adjourned the House until 2 pm.
Simultaneously, suspended MPs from the INDIA bloc parties, including Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, protested in front of the Gandhi statue on the Parliament premises, raising slogans against the Centre. The suspended members also protested at Parliament’s Makar Dwar.
These protests come in the aftermath of the suspension of 78 opposition MPs, marking the largest such action in the history of the Indian Parliament. The suspension, a response to disruptions during the ongoing Winter Session, stemmed from the Opposition’s demand for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Parliament security breach incident. The suspended MPs, totaling 92, will remain so until the Privileges Committee submits its report, with 34 Rajya Sabha MPs facing suspension for the remainder of the Winter Session and 11 others having their ‘misconduct’ referred to the committee. The reasons cited for the suspensions include ‘misconduct’ and failure to adhere to the directions of the Chair.