Why Was the Bengal LoP Suspended from the Assembly for a Day for Supporting the Indian Army?

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Why Was the Bengal LoP Suspended from the Assembly for a Day for Supporting the Indian Army?

Synopsis

In a dramatic turn of events in the West Bengal Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari was suspended after raising slogans in favor of the Indian Army. The incident stemmed from a controversy involving the dismantling of a protest stage, leading to heated debates and accusations of disrespect towards the Army.

Key Takeaways

  • Suvendu Adhikari was suspended for supporting the Indian Army.
  • The incident occurred during a special session of the Assembly.
  • Bratya Basu's remarks sparked outrage among BJP legislators.
  • The Army claimed the protest stage was dismantled due to expired permission.
  • The Speaker had to intervene as tensions escalated in the Assembly.

Kolkata, Sep 2 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) figure, Suvendu Adhikari, faced a suspension from the Assembly on the second day of the special session after he vocally supported the Indian Army. This incident occurred against the backdrop of a controversy where Army personnel allegedly dismantled a Trinamool Congress protest stage in Kolkata's Maidan area, which is under the jurisdiction of the Army's Eastern Command.

The Army's stance was that the protest stage set up by the Trinamool Congress had been unauthorized, as the permission granted by the Eastern Command had expired after two days.

During the Assembly session, State Education Minister Bratya Basu addressed the issue and made remarks that provoked the BJP legislators. He compared the dismantling of the protest stage to a historical incident involving the Pakistani Army in Dhaka on March 25, 1971, alleging that it was politically motivated.

This remark led to an uproar from the BJP members, including the LoP, who began shouting slogans, asserting that Basu had disrespected the Indian Army.

The Speaker of the House, Biman Bandopadhyay, attempted to restore order, but tensions escalated, resulting in the suspension of the Leader of the Opposition for the day.

At one point, the Speaker even had to call the Marshal of the House to remove the protesting BJP members, including LoP Adhikari. However, before any force was used, the BJP legislators, led by Adhikari, chose to walk out of the Assembly.

After the incident, LoP Adhikari expressed, “I have been suspended again. I had to be suspended for speaking on behalf of the Indian Army. I feel proud of the Indian Army. No one could stop us (BJP) from raising our voice in support of the Indian Army.”

Point of View

It is crucial to recognize that political discourse surrounding the Indian Army should be approached with utmost respect. The recent suspension of Suvendu Adhikari raises significant questions about the boundaries of political expression and respect for our armed forces. The Nation stands firm in supporting the integrity of our military, while also advocating for constructive dialogue within our legislative bodies.
NationPress
02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What led to Suvendu Adhikari's suspension?
Suvendu Adhikari was suspended for raising slogans in support of the Indian Army during a special Assembly session, amidst a controversy about the dismantling of a Trinamool Congress protest stage.
Who is the State Education Minister involved in this incident?
The State Education Minister involved is Bratya Basu, who made controversial remarks about the Indian Army that incited protests from BJP legislators.
What was the Army's justification for dismantling the protest stage?
The Army justified the dismantling of the protest stage by stating that the permission granted for it had expired, and it had been unauthorized beyond the two-day limit.
How did the Speaker respond to the situation in the Assembly?
The Speaker, Biman Bandopadhyay, attempted to control the escalating situation and ultimately suspended Suvendu Adhikari for the day.
What was Adhikari's reaction after his suspension?
After his suspension, Adhikari expressed pride in supporting the Indian Army and condemned the action taken against him by the Assembly.