New Delhi, Feb 3— Eight opposition MPs — seven from the Congress and one from the CPI(M) — were suspended from the Lok Sabha on Tuesday for the remainder of the Budget Session for what the government termed “unruly behaviour” inside the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a resolution seeking their suspension soon after the House reassembled at 3 pm following repeated adjournments. The resolution was passed by a voice vote.
“The members acted in utter disregard to the House and the authority of the Chair,” Rijiju said. “They tore papers, threw them at the Chair and even attempted to climb onto the Secretary General’s table.”
Those suspended are Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, C Kiran Kumar Reddy, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Padole and Dean Kuriakose of the Congress, and S Venkatesan of the CPI(M).
The Chair had earlier named the MPs for disorderly conduct after they allegedly tore documents and flung them towards the Speaker’s podium.
The disruption is part of a broader standoff between the government and the opposition, triggered by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi being denied permission to cite an article based on excerpts from an unpublished memoir of former Army chief M M Naravane on the 2020 India-China standoff.
Opposition members have also been raising issues related to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an India-US trade deal and an alleged demolition drive at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi.
Following the suspensions, Congress MPs led by Rahul Gandhi staged a protest outside the Parliament complex.
“The suspended members will continue to protest outside the House,” opposition leaders said.
Proceedings were later adjourned for the day amid continued uproar.