India Parliament privilege committee adopts resolution to end suspension of three members News
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (India), GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons
India Parliament privilege committee adopts resolution to end suspension of three members

The Lok Sabha privilege committee, responsible for investigating breaches of privilege in the lower house of India’s Parliament, adopted on Friday a resolution to lift the suspension imposed on three opposition members during the ongoing winter session, according to reports from local news sources. The suspension was originally enforced on the members over charges of disruptive conduct within the lower house.

The privilege committee reportedly recommended ending the suspension of Abdul Khaleque, J Jayakumar, and Vijaykumar Vasanth, the elected representatives from the Indian National Congress (INC), India’s largest opposition party. During the ongoing winter session of the Parliament, the opposition members launched protests in both houses of Parliament, Lok Sabha, the lower house, and Rajya Sabha, the upper house, demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the breach in parliamentary security that took place on December 13, 2023.

The members of the parliament in India are provided certain rights and immunities to facilitate effective functioning. However, in the event of a breach of these privileges or contempt of the house, the matter could be sent to the privilege committee for review and appropriate action. The three lawmakers engaged in alleged misconduct by reaching the presiding officer’s chair while protesting. Consequently, their case was forwarded to the privileges committee for review of their suspension order.

The privilege committee, headed by Sunil Kumar Singh, a legislator from India’s ruling Bhartiya Janta Party, adopted the resolution wherein the committee reportedly said the legislators “admitted the mistake” and “expressed regret.” It was reported that the three suspended lawmakers appeared before the panel on Friday to record their statements. Their suspension would continue till the committee submits the report to the full Lok Sabha, which sources say it is going to submit on Monday.

An unprecedented 147 lawmakers faced suspension for their role in disrupting proceedings, with 100 from the Lok Sabha and 46 from the Rajya Sabha. Amidst the reduced presence of opposition members, the government ushered in legislative reforms by passing key bills, including the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023, and the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, which focuses on the reformation of the telecommunications sector.

The suspensions were carried out under the “Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha,” citing the creation of “grave disorder in the House” on December 18. Eleven Rajya Sabha legislators remain under suspension, as the privilege committee of Rajya Sabha was unable to address the matter due to a lack of quorum.
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