The Narendra Modi government’s attacks on democracy don’t appear to be abating.
Before India goes to polls, the Modi government’s clampdown on the opposition members continues, as 49 more members have been suspended from the Lok Sabha, as per The Wire media outlet.
In the last couple of days, India has seen a record suspension of 141 opposition members from the Lok Sabha for the first time in history. On Tuesday, around 78 members of parliament were suspended from both houses.
🚨 Tensions escalate in #IndianParliament as #Modigovt faces accusations of undermining #democracy.
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) December 20, 2023
Record 141 opposition members suspended, sparking #protests.
Opposition cries foul: 'An attack on democracy & a dictatorial move.'#SamaaTV pic.twitter.com/bs6zfMbB7h
When the opposition parties protested against the suspension of their colleagues, more lawmakers were suspended. The opposition members were suspended for allegedly disrupting the proceedings of the House.
On December 13, two people entered the Indian parliament owing to poor security measures, threw gas cans, and shouted slogans, Al Jazeera reported. Evidence showed that visitor passes were provided to the disruptors by a BJP legislator.
The Indian opposition members were demanding Federal Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Modi give a statement in parliament on the violation of the security of the House.
Meanwhile, violent protests by the suspended opposition members continued outside the parliament building. The opposition members involved in the protests demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah.
Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Indian National Congress, said the government deliberately suspended the opposition leaders to pass important bills without a debate.
According to the opposition members, their suspension was an attack on democracy by the Modi government and a symbol of the rule of dictatorship in India.
Political analysts questioned the suspension, saying that the MPs had every right to hold the Modi government accountable to parliament.
