As Tribute to CDS Bipin Rawat, Opposition MPs Halt Protests Over RS Suspension

Venkaiah Naidu had suspended 12 MPs for "unruly conduct" on the last day of the monsoon session, four months ago.

Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi staged a protest against the suspension notice issued against 12 MPs for the third consecutive day on Thursday, 2 December.

(Photo: Screenshot)

In light of the tragic and untimely demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, opposition parties suspended their protests on Thursday, 9 December, as a mark of respect to the late veteran.

Twelve Members of Parliament belonging to opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha had been suspended on 29 November, which was the first day of the Winter Session.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu had suspended the 12 MPs (from five political parties in total) for what he claimed was "unruly conduct".

But that "unruly conduct" had occurred four months ago on 11 August, the last day of the Monsoon Session.

As a response, the 12 MPs, who were joined by more than a 100 more opposition MPs, were protesting at the Gandhi statue in Parliament since last week.

This protest has now been halted due to the passing of CDS Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other personnel who died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu on 8 December.

'This is Not a Partisan Moment'

However, in an unexpected turn of events, Harivansh Narayan Singh, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, disallowed willing Opposition members to each speak for two minutes in tribute to General Rawat, as urged by Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress Party, who is the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said, "it is absolutely appalling, that only the Chair speaks, only the Defence Minister speaks and not a single Opposition party is allowed to say a word to express condolence and grief over this national tragedy," The Indian Express reported.

"This is not a partisan moment," she added.

(With inputs from The Indian Express)