'He Just Said Nirav Modi, Nirav Means...': Kharge Raises Adhir Chowdhury's Suspension In Rajya Sabha

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Suspension: The I.N.D.I.A alliance MPs have also decided to hold a demonstration in front of Ambedkar's statue in Parliament premises.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was suspended from Lok Sabha on Thursday

Source : PTI

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was suspended on a "flimsy ground". "He has been suspended on a flimsy ground. He just said 'Nirav Modi'. Nirav means calm, silent. You suspend him over that?" Kharge said in Rajya Sabha.

The I.N.D.I.A alliance MPs also held a demonstration in front of Ambedkar's statue in Parliament premises.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Opposition leaders at the chamber of the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.

Congress Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore had moved a motion for the adjournment of business in the House to discuss the issue of the suspension, PTI reported.

"It is a matter of deep concern that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a dedicated member of this House, was suspended without any proper reason yesterday as he spoke about 'Nirav' which means 'silence' in Hindi and compared it with the silence of Prime Minister Modi. This incident raises serious questions about the essence of our democratic principles, which prioritise freedom of speech and the right to express genuine concerns," Tagore said in his notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

READ | PM Modi's Courtiers Brought Proposal Against Me: Cong MP Adhir After Suspension From Lok Sabha

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi justified the suspension, saying it had become "their habit to level baseless allegations without giving notice". "I had told him (Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury) then to apologise and at least express regret. But he did not do it...It is up to the Speaker to decide," Joshi further said.

Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha K Suresh said BJP had killed the Parliamentary democratic system by suspending Chowdhury.

"He has been the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha for the last four years. They found his misconduct only yesterday. They have done it politically. This killed the Parliamentary democratic system with the suspension," ANI quoted Suresh as saying.

Congress MP Manish Tewari hinted at moving the Supreme Court over the issue. "As per Section 105(1) of the Constitution, every MP has the freedom of speech in Parliament. If by misusing the power of the majority any MP is suspended like this, it is vert unfortunate for democracy. This is a fit case to approach the Supreme Court," Tewari said.