Congress recalls 2023 mass suspensions of MPs, warns ‘history should not repeat’

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday revisited the dramatic events of the 2023 Winter Session of Parliament, when a record 146 Opposition MPs were suspended, warning that the episode should not be allowed to recur as the monsoon session enters its decisive final week.

Ramesh’s remarks come ahead of the last three working days of the ongoing session, when the government is expected to push several important pieces of legislation, including the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. A Constitution amendment bill linked to delimitation could also come up for consideration.

Recalling the security breach of 13 December 2023, when two intruders entered the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery and released coloured smoke, Ramesh described the incident as a “shocking and severe breach of security”.

He said the Opposition had repeatedly sought a statement from the Union home minister on the breach but alleged that no response was forthcoming.

Between 14 and 21 December 2023, as many as 146 MPs — 100 from the Lok Sabha and 46 from the Rajya Sabha — were suspended, Ramesh said.

With much of the Opposition absent from the proceedings following the mass suspensions, Parliament went on to pass several major pieces of legislation, he recalled. Among them were three new criminal law codes that replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.

The chief election commissioner and other election commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill was also passed during the session, Ramesh noted.

“History should not repeat itself,” he asserted, casting his warning against the backdrop of the legislative agenda awaiting Parliament in the coming days.

The Congress has already sounded the mobilisation bugle, issuing a three-day whip to its MPs in both Houses to remain present on 10, 11 and 12 August. The party has also urged its INDIA bloc allies to ensure that their MPs attend proceedings throughout the crucial final stretch of the session.

Ramesh, who is the Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha, said “very important issues” would be taken up on the three days and directed party MPs to remain in the House from 11 am until adjournment and support the party’s position.

Congress chief whip in the Lok Sabha K. Suresh issued a similar directive to party MPs in the lower House.

The mobilisation comes amid reports that the contentious FCRA Bill could be debated and passed next week, while the government is also considering bringing a Constitution amendment bill concerning delimitation.

The legislative arithmetic, meanwhile, could make the final days particularly charged: the FCRA Bill requires a simple majority, whereas a Constitution amendment requires the support of a two-thirds majority.

With PTI inputs