Lok Sabha Revokes Suspension of 8 Opposition MPs

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday canceled the removal of eight opposition MPs after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the lower house of Parliament. Eight opposition MPs – Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, B Manickam Tagore, Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy and S Venkatesan- paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi inside the Parliament complex after their suspension was lifted.

After Rijiju moved the motion in the lower house, Congress Chief Whip K Suresh expressed regret over the “inadvertent indiscretion” of some members.

Following today’s motion, opposition MPs were allowed to attend ongoing parliamentary hearings. Following an uproar in the House over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on mentioning a specific reference to border tensions with China in eastern Ladakh in 2020, eight opposition members were suspended from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the budget session on February 4 for violating rules and “throwing papers on the chair”.

According to sources, at the meeting of grassroots leaders held yesterday under the chairmanship of Speaker Om Birla, a consensus was reached to suspend eight MPs from office.

Sources said at the meeting, members agreed to preserve the dignity and established traditions of Parliament. It was collectively decided that no Member from either side should approach the other party in the House Well, tear papers and throw them towards the Presidency, or climb the officers’ table inside the House.

Sources said it was also confirmed that all members will adhere to established parliamentary etiquette and traditions and both sides will ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued a bulletin reminding Members to maintain etiquette in Parliament House. The Bulletin draws attention to Direction 124A(2)(iii) of the Speaker’s Order, which prohibits certain activities in order to keep the area and passageways on the Parliament House Site free and accessible to Members of Parliament. The consultation text also emphasized that this instruction specifically prohibits the carrying of firearms, banners, banners, lathis, spears, swords, sticks and bricks within the Parliament Building.

Members have been repeatedly advised not to bring or display posters, banners or banners inside Parliament. The bulletin also notes that in some cases, posters and banners displayed AI-generated portraits, images and derogatory slogans. Members are once again advised to strictly comply with Directive 124A(2)(iii) and other relevant rules and are warned that disciplinary action may be taken in the event of any breach.