CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin unleashed a fierce critique against the BJP-led central government on Wednesday, condemning the suspension of eight opposition MPs from Lok Sabha as undemocratic and politically motivated. The dramatic move came amid heated budget session debates, raising serious questions about parliamentary norms.
Stalin directly questioned why the government was shying away from addressing critical national security concerns raised by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. ‘Why is the government afraid of scrutiny on governance and security matters?’ he posted on social media, emphasizing that silencing elected representatives undermines the essence of parliamentary democracy.
The suspensions followed chaotic scenes in the House, triggered by Gandhi’s attempt to reference excerpts from former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir on the 2020 India-China border clash. The Chair disallowed the reference, sparking protests from opposition benches that escalated into disorder. Seven Congress MPs and one from CPI-M were suspended for the remainder of the session due to unruly conduct.
In a strongly worded statement, Stalin demanded immediate revocation of the suspensions, arguing that MPs must have the right to speak on issues of public importance. He stressed that Parliament should serve as a forum for debate, accountability, and transparency, not a stage to suppress dissenting voices. This incident, he warned, sets a dangerous precedent that weakens democratic institutions.
Stalin’s remarks highlight growing tensions between the ruling NDA and opposition INDIA bloc, especially on sensitive topics like border security and economic policies. As the budget session continues, the episode underscores the fragility of legislative discourse in India’s polarized political landscape. Political analysts see this as part of a broader strategy to control narratives ahead of key electoral battles.