Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, penned a letter to Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday, expressing his dismay over the widespread suspension of MPs and emphasising that such actions undermine the foundational principles of India's parliamentary democracy.
In his communication, Kharge conveyed his distress, stating, "The suspension of members on such a large scale is detrimental to the core principles of our parliamentary democracy. Witnessing the suspension of members was painful, agonising, frustrating, and disheartening." He affirmed his commitment to fostering dialogue and discussion, essential pillars of a parliamentary democracy.
Kharge highlighted the opposition's attempts to address the breach of parliamentary security through multiple notices under the relevant rules of the Rajya Sabha. These notices, submitted to discuss the breach and the role of a ruling party MP in facilitating the entry of intruders into the Lok Sabha gallery on December 13, were neither admitted nor allowed for discussion on the floor of the House, the Congress President said.
He expressed disappointment that despite the opposition's clear demand for Home Minister Amit Shah to address the issue, the demand was ignored, leading to the suspension of a considerable number of opposition MPs.
"Furthermore, the suspension of a considerable number of opposition MPs occurred in multiple instances, blatantly violating the Rules and Procedure," Kharge stressed.
In response to Chairman Dhankhar's earlier communication, where he expressed disappointment over Kharge's refusal to meet him during the winter session, Kharge reasserted his commitment to open discussion and dialogue. He expressed willingness to engage in a meeting with the Chairman at a mutually convenient date and time in the near future to constructively address these concerns.
"The Government will have its way but the Opposition must, you will readily agree, have its say. I have no doubt that you will uphold this basic principle of parliamentary democracy in letter and spirit," he stated as he concluded the letter.
The Rajya Sabha on Friday faced disruptions again, leading to the suspension of 46 more MPs for the session. The opposition's demands for a discussion on the December 13 Parliament security breach and a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah remained unmet, resulting in repeated protests and the subsequent adjournment of the House.
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