Parliament LIVE | INDIA bloc to Modi: 'The more you try to crush us, the more we will rise'

Leaders from the INDIA bloc converged at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday (December 22) to stage a protest against the suspension of 146 MPs during the Winter Session of Parliament. The Opposition parties said they are resorting to the protest to save democracy in the country.

The MPs were suspended for “causing disruptions” to the functioning of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and raising slogans while demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on December 13 Parliament security breach. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and NCP chief Sharad Pawar were among the key leaders present at Jantar Mantar. Apart from them, two dozen Opposition MPs, including Jairam Ramesh, Manoj Jha A Raja, Gaurav Gogoi, Mukul Wasnik, A Raja and Naseer Hussain were also present.

Addressing the protest, RJD MP Manoj Jha said, “The ruling dispensation wants an Opposition mukt parliament and a question mukt press. The soul of India is in the ICU. They control Kashmir's normalcy from Delhi but the reality is Kashmir is not okay.”

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, “In the history of democracy in the world, 146 MPs have never been suspended... People should know that the democracy is in danger. The protest is to tell the people that whatever is happening is wrong for the future of the country... There is only one solution, people should change this government and bring the INDIA alliance into power.”

Senior CPI leader D Raja said, “This government cannot murder the democracy as it is doing now and it cannot rule the country anymore.” He said, “Opposition is important for Parliament. But they are killing the Opposition, this is fascism. Can we afford this fascist dictatorship? The INDIA bloc should fight together and defeat the BJP. Constitution and democracy must be saved...it is under attack.”

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