New Delhi :The Indian political landscape witnessed a dramatic showdown today as opposition leaders from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc staged a protest under the banner “Save Democracy” at Jantar Mantar. This comes in the wake of the recent suspension of 146 MPs from Parliament’s Winter Session, which ended abruptly yesterday.
Senior opposition figures like Sharad Pawar, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Sitaram Yechury rallied together against the controversial decision. Accusing the government of stifling dissent, NCP chief Sharad Pawar declared the opposition’s unwavering commitment to safeguard democracy, “come what may.”
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, addressing the gathering, emphasized the critical message embedded in the protest: “This is not just about us, it’s about the future of the country.” He further lamented the unprecedented nature of the mass suspension, highlighting the dangers posed to democratic principles.
Expressing strong disapproval of the government’s handling of the Parliament security breach incident, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram accused them of silencing legitimate concerns and bulldozing critical legislation. He likened the desired Parliament to an echo chamber akin to those in China and North Korea, devoid of meaningful dialogue and dissent.
Congress MP Manish Tewari urged all nationalist organizations to unite in defense of democracy, underscoring the urgency of sending a unified message in the face of this seemingly undemocratic act.
The suspended MPs were present at the protest, lending further weight to the opposition’s cause. Significantly, nationwide protests have also been planned by the Congress party across all district headquarters.
It’s important to note that the mass suspension arose from demands by opposition MPs for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the December 13 Parliament security breach. Subsequently, a total of 146 MPs – 100 from Lok Sabha and 46 from Rajya Sabha – were suspended for alleged disruption of proceedings.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his frustration on the session’s conclusion, lamenting the loss of 22 hours due to “avoidable disruptions.” He urged members to prioritize the nation’s interests above political agendas.
Earlier, the suspended MPs had marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk, symbolizing their defiance against the suspension order.
The unfolding events present a stark picture of political conflict and raise concerns about the future of dissent and parliamentary oversight in India. As the drama continues, it remains to be seen how this episode will impact the nation’s political landscape and whether the “Save Democracy” cry will resonate with the wider public.
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