The recent winter session of the Parliament witnessed a significant number of suspensions among members, sparking discussions about the state of the washrooms within the premises. Jaya Bachchan, a member of the Samajwadi Party, raised the issue of washroom conditions during a session on Tuesday (December 19), highlighting the deplorable state of the facilities available within the Parliament. In the past two days, 141 members were suspended from participating in sessions, with 78 suspensions issued on Monday (December 18) followed by an additional 49 on Tuesday (December 19).
Challenging Suspension Counts: Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha
Out of the 141 suspensions, 95 were from the Lok Sabha, while 46 were from the Rajya Sabha. This wave of suspensions has triggered outrage among opposition parties. Allegations have been directed at the central government, accusing them of orchestrating these suspensions to ensure an opposition-free Parliament. Moreover, the opposition members have accused the government of adopting authoritarian practices, choking democracy itself. Consequently, with the suspensions in place, opposition alliances have seen a considerable decline in their strength, losing almost half of their representation in the Rajya Sabha and a significant one-third in the Lok Sabha
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Female MPs’ Protest: Walkouts and Washroom Woes
Amidst this controversy, Jaya Bachchan spoke out about the dire conditions of the Parliament’s washrooms. In a conversation with NDTV, she expressed, “The state of our washrooms is appalling, to say the least. Just yesterday, three female MPs staged a walkout from the Parliament. We haven’t had any resolution since morning; we’re just shouting. The Chairman says they’re testing our endurance. They’ll run the session till 11 am.”
Bachchan’s Candid Commentary on Washroom State
Further commenting on the situation, Jaya Bachchan continued, “Yesterday, they dismissed our MPs, yet today those who went to the washroom weren’t dismissed. Every half-hour, they conveniently take breaks to drink water and visit the bathroom. The condition of our washrooms is so appalling; how do I even describe it? Unfair injustice. You were meant to pass the bill; you could have done it then. What’s the need for all this drama now?”
Unprecedented Suspensions: Historical Context
Prior to this session, such a massive number of suspensions had never been witnessed in the history of the Parliament. Hence, this recent spate of suspensions is being labeled as unprecedented. The last instance of a significant suspension dates back to March 15, 1989, when 63 members of the Lok Sabha were suspended. At that time, the disruption was due to demands for presenting a commission report investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The current situation in the Parliament not only raises concerns over the fair conduct of sessions but also sheds light on the critical need to address the infrastructure issues, particularly the alarming conditions of the washrooms, ensuring a conducive and dignified working environment for all members.
Conclusion
The Parliamentary winter session, marred by suspensions and allegations, highlights the need for fair practices and better infrastructure within the premises. The discussions sparked by Jaya Bachchan underscore not just the suspension controversies but also the urgent requirement to address fundamental amenities like washrooms, crucial for maintaining a conducive working atmosphere in the country’s highest legislative body.
