Security Breach Fallout: 24 Women MPs Among 146 Suspended In Parliament

The Indian Parliament witnessed a turbulent week as a staggering over 100 Members of Parliament faced suspension for their involvement in disrupting proceedings over the recent security breach. This alarming development, the highest in a single day, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Before this mass suspension, 14 MPs were also suspended last week for similar reasons, bringing the total number of MPs suspended during this session to a staggering 146.

The suspension, a response to disruptions related to the recent security breach in Parliament, has had a significant impact on the ongoing Winter Session. Notably, our focus is on the female MPs among this large number, shedding light on the gendered aspects of this extraordinary development.

The Suspension Breakdown: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

Lok Sabha: 100 MPs Suspended

With the number of suspended MPs now reaching 100 in the lower house, the opposition contends that the government's actions jeopardize parliamentary democracy. The recent passing of three bills to overhaul criminal laws, with minimal discussion due to the reduced opposition strength, was met with criticism and labelled a "disgrace."

Rajya Sabha: 46 MPs Suspended

Following the Lok Sabha suspension, the Rajya Sabha witnessed the suspension of an additional 46 MPs. This suspension extends for the remainder of the ongoing Winter Session.

In Total - 24 Women MPs Suspended

Among the suspended MPs, a total of 24 women faced the repercussions of their protest.

• In the Lok Sabha, 12 women, including Supriya Sule, Geeta Koda, Jyotsna Mahant, Mala Roy, Dimple Yadav, Sajda Ahmed, Pratibha Singh, Aparupa Poddar, Pratima Mondal, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Shatabdi Roy, and T. Sumathy, were among the suspended MPs. 
• In the Rajya Sabha, the suspension affected 9 women, with notable names like Amee Yajnik, Phulo Devi Netam, Rajni Ashokrao Patil, Ranjeet Ranjan, Mausam Noor, Dr Kanimozhi NVN Somu, Vandana Chavan, Mahua Maji, and Jebi Mather.

Prior Suspensions Add to the Count

Before this mass suspension, 14 MPs were suspended last week for similar reasons, bringing the total number of MPs suspended during this session to a staggering 146. On December 14, both houses of Parliament witnessed high drama as opposition members, seeking a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the security breach, faced disagreement from the chairpersons of both houses. This disagreement resulted in the suspension of 15 MPs.

On the same day, 13 Lok Sabha MPs were suspended for "disrupting the proceedings of the house in utter disregard for the authority of the chair."

• Among them, 3 women—S. Jothimani, Ramya Haridas, and Kanimozhi Karunanidhi—were suspended.

Security Breach Fallout and Unanswered Questions

The security breach on December 13, the anniversary of the 2001 attack on Parliament, fueled the disruptions. Two men entered the Lok Sabha hall, raising questions about the security measures in place. 

• Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has levelled scathing criticism at the government's decision to suspend MPs, accusing it of "strangulating democracy." Gandhi pointedly addressed the suspension of opposition MPs, characterizing their demand for Home Minister Amit Shah's statement as "perfectly reasonable and legitimate."
• Supriya Sule, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, lashed out at the BJP-led Centre on Thursday, calling the suspension of opposition MPs from both Houses of Parliament a "murder of democracy." Speaking to ANI on Thursday, the suspended MP drew a parallel between the current state of affairs and the national emergency imposed in the country under Indira Gandhi's Prime Ministership in 1975, saying that it appears as if an undeclared emergency has been imposed all over again.
  
• Kanimozhi, too, questioned the lack of action against BJP MP Pratap Simha, who provided entry passes to the intruders, and expressed concern about the selective actions taken against MPs.“No action has been taken against that MP. Whereas we saw what happened in Mahua’s case. Without even the inquiry being complete, she has been disqualified, and this MP is not even suspended. He’s inside Parliament with us. And when we protested and we wanted the PM and the Home Minister to come and give a statement in the House, they’re not prepared to do that. And when we protested, they suspended all the opposition MPs. First, they suspended five, then they suspended nine people. So how is this democracy?” she asked.

As we reflect on the suspension of 146 MPs, including a significant number of women representatives, the question raised by Kanimozhi and Sule lingers: Is this the democratic discourse we aspire for? The fallout from the security breach, coupled with the unprecedented mass suspensions, raises concerns about the state of parliamentary proceedings and the accountability of those involved.

In the coming weeks, as the suspended MPs await the Committee of Privilege report, the impact of this episode on democratic values and the role of women in parliamentary affairs remains a critical aspect to monitor.