Posted on Dec 21, 2023
India's Parliament votes on key bills with over 140 opposition members suspended
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https://www.npr.org/2023/12/20/ [login to see] /india-parliament-legislators-suspended
India's Parliament voted on a crime bill and other legislation on Wednesday, even though dozens of opposition legislators were not present.
It was the latest in a week of turmoil in Indian politics, which started with smoke bombs at Parliament and the suspension of more than 140 opposition lawmakers.
During a Dec. 13 session in Parliament, two protesters jumped from the visitors' gallery onto the floor of the legislature, set off yellow smoke canisters and shouted slogans against the government. Outside the chambers, two more protesters set off smoke canisters and shouted similar slogans. Police arrested the demonstrators along with two accomplices, according to news reports.
India's Parliament voted on a crime bill and other legislation on Wednesday, even though dozens of opposition legislators were not present.
It was the latest in a week of turmoil in Indian politics, which started with smoke bombs at Parliament and the suspension of more than 140 opposition lawmakers.
During a Dec. 13 session in Parliament, two protesters jumped from the visitors' gallery onto the floor of the legislature, set off yellow smoke canisters and shouted slogans against the government. Outside the chambers, two more protesters set off smoke canisters and shouted similar slogans. Police arrested the demonstrators along with two accomplices, according to news reports.
India's Parliament votes on key bills with over 140 opposition members suspended
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Posted 5 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."An analysis by the news website The Wire foundthat the suspended legislators represented nearly 140 million voters.
Critics say under Prime Minister Modi, India has seen a dramatic erosion of democracy, from stifling the press, bullying the judiciary and persecuting minorities. Since 2021, the U.S.-based Freedom House has downgraded Indian democracy from "free" to "partly free."
"India is at a dangerous, delicate stage," says Chhokar. "There's a lack of maturity on both sides — both the government and the opposition say the other side started it first. But this is not a school fight but the parliament. We can no longer claim that we're a vibrant democracy, even if the largest."
..."An analysis by the news website The Wire foundthat the suspended legislators represented nearly 140 million voters.
Critics say under Prime Minister Modi, India has seen a dramatic erosion of democracy, from stifling the press, bullying the judiciary and persecuting minorities. Since 2021, the U.S.-based Freedom House has downgraded Indian democracy from "free" to "partly free."
"India is at a dangerous, delicate stage," says Chhokar. "There's a lack of maturity on both sides — both the government and the opposition say the other side started it first. But this is not a school fight but the parliament. We can no longer claim that we're a vibrant democracy, even if the largest."
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