Indian parliament suspends 93 opposition MPs for demanding debate on security breach

At least 79 opposition lawmakers were suspended from the Indian parliament on December 18 for disrupting proceedings as they demanded a government statement and a discussion on the security breach of the chambers last week.

As reported by the Indian Wire, the suspensions come as both houses of parliament saw repeated adjournments amid calls from opposition MPs for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the security breach in parliament on December 13, when two men jumped from the public gallery into the Lok Sabha hall and opened smoke canisters.

Earlier on December 18, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said that a high-level probe is already looking into the security breach and some of the suggestions given by opposition MPs have been implemented while others will also be looked into.

The decision followed similar action having been previously taken against 14 lawmakers last week, bringing the total number of suspensions to 93.

While disruptions and protests are not unusual in parliament, the total of 93 suspensions is the highest during a single session for years according to analysts, indicating that the legislature under Prime Minister Modi is getting tougher on unruly conduct.