The Indian Parliament witnessed a major crackdown on Monday as nearly 80 members of the opposition were suspended for disrupting the proceedings over a security breach incident that occurred last week.
The suspended MPs include prominent leaders from the Congress party, the DMK, and other allies, who have been demanding a statement from the home minister and an inquiry into the lapse that allowed two intruders to enter the Lok Sabha chamber and release smoke canisters on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack.
The government has accused the opposition of insulting the Speaker and the Chairperson with their unruly conduct and politicising the issue. It has also cited previous violations of security protocols by opposition members and said that the security of the Parliament complex is the responsibility of the Lok Sabha secretariat
The suspension of the MPs, which is one of the largest mass actions till date, means that they will not be able to participate in the remaining sessions of the winter session, which will end on December 22
The opposition has condemned the suspension as undemocratic and unjustified and vowed to continue their protest.
