TMC's Derek O'Brien stages silent protest outside Parliament after suspension

New Delhi: TMC MP Derek O'Brien staged a silent protest outside Parliament following his suspension from the Rajya Sabha. Clutching a poster reading "silent protest," O'Brien's suspension was a result of his conduct being referred to the Committee of Privileges.

Suspension Motion Passed

The motion for O'Brien's suspension, presented by Leader of the House Piyush Goyal, cited "repeated disregard" for the chair and gross violation of Rule 256 (3). The House Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankar, announced the motion's acceptance, leading to O'Brien's suspension for the remainder of the winter session.

Silent Protest Amid Controversy

In the silent protest, O'Brien displayed his discontent with the suspension. The motion accused him of deliberately continuing in the chamber, compounding his offence, and committing a serious contempt of the House.

Committee of Privileges Referral

As the motion garnered majority support, the Chairman referred the matter to the Committee of Privileges of the Rajya Sabha. The House was adjourned for the day, with a scheduled meeting at 11 am on Friday.

Suspension Amidst Adjournments

Earlier in the day, the House faced adjournments due to O'Brien's presence despite repeated warnings to withdraw. His suspension was prompted by allegations of unruly behaviour and misconduct.

Opposition Uproar

The Rajya Sabha witnessed uproar and adjournments, with opposition MPs demanding a discussion on the Parliament security breach. O'Brien's suspension heightened tensions, leading to disruptions and calls for a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The silent protest marks a significant development amid the ongoing controversy surrounding O'Brien's suspension from parliamentary proceedings.