The Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar, has lifted the suspension of 11 members of the House who were found guilty of breach of privilege during the Winter Session of Parliament. The suspension was revoked to allow them to attend the Special Address by President Droupadi Murmu on January 31, 2024. The suspension had been a consequence of the MPs’ involvement in protests demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding a security breach in Parliament. The Committee of Privileges of Rajya Sabha found the 11 members guilty of breach of privilege and contempt of the Council, and recommended that the suspension period already served by the members be considered sufficient punishment. The revocation of suspension was made to enable the members to participate in the Special Address by the President, a significant event marking the first time in the new building of the Parliament. This decision ensures uniformity in the treatment of suspended members across both Houses, as the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha had earlier lifted the suspension of 3 Lok Sabha MPs. In response to the Opposition’s demand for a statement from the Home Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla clarified that the security within the House falls under the purview of the secretariat and that the government would not be allowed to intervene. The Opposition had raised concerns, alleging that the suspension of MPs was a strategic move by the government to pass crucial bills without proper discussion.
11 Suspended Members of Rajya Sabha Given Permission to Attend Presidential Address
