Record 93 Opposition Lawmakers Suspended from Indian Parliament

Suspensions follow demands for a government statement on recent security breach, marking a significant escalation in parliamentary tensions.

A total of 79 opposition lawmakers were suspended from the Indian parliament for disrupting proceedings, demanding a government statement and a discussion on the security breach of the chambers last week.
The suspensions followed similar action against 14 lawmakers last week, bringing the total to 93, the highest during a single session for years.
Police filed terrorism charges against five people in connection with a security breach in the new parliament complex after a man jumped into the lower house, shouted slogans and set off a smoke canister on Dec. 13.
Opposition lawmakers are demanding a debate and a statement on the issue from Home Minister Amit Shah, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there was no need for a debate.
Opposition lawmakers accused the government of behaving in a dictatorial manner, with the president of the main opposition Congress party stating that an 'opposition-less parliament' allows the government to 'bulldoze important pending legislations, crush any dissent, without any debate.'