Suspended Rajya Sabha members, MPs hold 'People’s Parliament'

They were protesting against suspensions, the government’s policies of divestment and privatisation of PSUs, and Teni’s continuation in the council of ministers

Suspended Rajya Sabha MPs protest outside  Parliament on Friday.: PTI Photo

TT Special Correspondent   |   New Delhi   |  18.12.21: Suspended Trinamul MP Dola Sen was shouting slogans in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue on Parliament premises, a dupatta coiled into a “noose” round her neck with party colleague Nadimul Haque holding one end.

In Sen’s hand was a poster pleading “Save Democracy”. Sitting in a chair in front of her was CPM member Elamaram Kareem who kept asking her to “go back to your seat”.

“Democracy is being murdered. The LIC and banks are being sold. A big sale of national assets is going on. We cannot remain silent,” Sen said and continued with her slogans.

After the appeal from the “Chair” brought no success, Kareem announced: “The House stands adjourned.”

Within a minute, protests had broken out again, with Congress member Ripun Bora playing the role of leader of the House and airing the government’s stand.

The 12 suspended Rajya Sabha members and a few other MPs were holding a “People’s Parliament” on Friday to protest the suspensions, the government’s policies of divestment and privatisation of PSUs, and Ajay Mishra Teni’s continuation in the council of ministers.

Normal business has been affected in the Rajya Sabha since the 12 members were suspended over their protest and alleged scuffle with security staff inside the House during the monsoon session. The Opposition is not taking part in discussions of bills this session but that has not stopped the government from getting the bills passed.

Every time the Opposition parties demand revocation of the suspensions, they are advised to talk to the government to find a solution. The government has said the members have to apologise for their conduct.

On Friday, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu repeated his advice and adjourned the House for the day within 15 minutes of the start of the morning session. The “People’s Parliament” followed.

“I do not see any solution. If the government has any respect for Parliament, it should withdraw the suspensions without any condition,” suspended CPI leader Binoy Viswam told The Telegraph.

“We are raising issues of the public. Why should we apologise?”

Viswam denied that the MPs had attacked House security staff during the last session.

“This is a cooked-up story. In fact, the government had brought some people in blue uniform from outside that day. They attacked us,” Viswam said.

On Tuesday, leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Naidu saying Delhi police personnel had harassed MPs in the lobbies on August 11, the day the 12 MPs were suspended. The government has denied the charge.