Rajya Sabha chaos: 8 MPs axed for a week

Eight opposition members have been suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the rest of the session over unprecedented chaos in the house during the passing of controversial farm bills on Monday. Naidu also rejected the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Deputy Chairman Harivansh following the uproar yesterday.

The members, including Trinamool Congress’s Derek O’Brien, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Sanjay singh, Congress’s Rajeev Satav and CPM’s KK Ragesh, were told they had displayed “unruly behavior especially with the Chair and gross disorderly conduct”.

“I am pained at what happened yesterday. It defies logic. It is a bad day for Rajya Sabha,” said Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu. He said the members threw papers, wrenched mics away, “physically threatened” Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh and even abused him.

“I am naming Mr Derek O Brien. Please go out of the house,” Mr Naidu said, as he named the suspended members. The house was adjourned for the third time at 10.40 am.

Two of the government’s three farm bills, which have led to massive protests by opposition parties and farmers, were passed on September 21 amid an uproar in the Rajya Sabha.

MPs claim they had asked for a physical vote but they were denied. The deputy chairman conducted a voice vote without paying attention to the protests. Rajya Sabha TV muted the audio telecast of the proceedings.

The bill was opposed by BJP’s estranged ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal, TRS and BJD which, in a rare instance, decided to vote “no”.

The two bills- Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill 2020 and the Farmers(Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, will now be sent to the President for his assent.