New Delhi: The suspension of 49 opposition MPs during the ongoing winter session of Parliament has marked an unprecedented situation. This move, which comes as a penalty for showing placards and contempt of the House, adds to the tally of a total of 95 Lok Sabha members who have faced suspension. In a historical context, the practice of suspending members from Parliament dates back over 60 years, with Gode Murahari being the first MP to experience such action.
Gode Murahari, an independent Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, was the inaugural case of suspension. His unruly behavior led to his suspension for the remainder of the season on September 3, 1962. Born on May 20, 1926, Murahari served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 1962 to 1968, 1968 to 1974, and 1974 to 1977. Additionally, he held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from 1972 to 1977.
Murahari faced suspension twice due to indecent conduct. On July 25, 1966, he, along with fellow MP Raj Narayan, was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for a week. The House leader, MC Chagla, moved two separate motions to expel them. Refusing to leave voluntarily, they were forcibly removed by marshals. The incident raised concerns, and the next day, the Rajya Sabha Chairman expressed dismay, while party leaders expressed regret.
Raj Narayan, who later defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977, faced a similar fate. He was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the second time on August 12, 1971, for the remainder of the session. This decision was presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Om Mehta and accepted by the House. Raj Narayan, again refusing to leave, had to be escorted out by marshals.
It's essential to note that in the Rajya Sabha, a member is suspended when named by the Chairman, while in the Lok Sabha, the Speaker holds the power to suspend a member for unruly behavior. Instances of mass suspensions occurred in 1989 in the Lok Sabha, with 63 members suspended during uproar over the Justice Thakkar Committee report on the assassination of Indira Gandhi. In 2015, 25 MPs faced suspension from the Lok Sabha for unruly behavior.
Communist Party of India (Maoist) Terror Network: NIA Files Supplementary Chargesheet
India Emerges as Global Advocate for Environmental Issues: Minister Bhupendra Yadav
Controversy at INDIA Alliance: Left Front Leader Rejects TMC Link-Up Over 'Murderer' Label