'Mother of democracy has orphaned it': Kapil Sibal opens up on bulk suspension of MPs over security breach ruckus

NEW DELHI: In the wake of the largest single-day expulsion of 78 members of

Parliament

from both Houses on Monday, setting a historic precedent in India's parliamentary history, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal expressed on Tuesday that the "mother of democracy has been orphaned."
Amidst an intense confrontation in both Houses involving Chairs, the Treasury, and the Opposition regarding the breach of Parliament security, the

suspension

of 78 members ensued due to their unruly behavior and disruption of proceedings while demanding a statement from Union home minister Amit Shah on the December 13 incident.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal urged citizens to take responsibility for ensuring the 'survival of democracy.' Taking to his official handle on X on Tuesday, the former Union law minister posted, "Mother of Democracy has orphaned it! The people of India must take care and ensure its survival."

With the suspension of 78

MPs

on Monday, the total number of legislators suspended from both Houses for "misconduct" and disobedience of Chair directives reached 92.
The motion for the suspension of MPs was initiated by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. During the House's resumption at 3 pm after earlier adjournments, BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal, presiding over the Chair, asserted that the members had been violating rules.

Earlier, the House had suspended 13 members for displaying placards and violating Chair directives. Additionally, Rajya Sabha witnessed the suspension of TMC MP Derek O'Brien.
Including TMC's Derek O'Brien on December 14, a total of 46 MPs have now faced suspension from the Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the central government for the suspension of MPs, expressing concerns about the potential consequences. "With an Opposition-Less Parliament, the Modi Govt can now bulldoze important pending legislations, crush any dissent, without any debate," Kharge remarked in a post on X.
Kharge also outlined two key demands: a statement from the Union Home Minister in both Houses of Parliament regarding the

security breach

and a detailed discussion on the same. The Opposition has been calling for Home Minister Amit Shah to address the Parliament regarding the breach on December 13, coinciding with the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack.