New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced a nationwide protest on Tuesday against the suspension of its MP Sanjay Singh from the Rajya Sabha and the ongoing violence in Manipur.On Monday, Singh was suspended by Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar for “repeatedly violating the directives of the Chair” as opposition MPs protested in parliament demanding a discussion on Manipur.“AAP will hold a protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar as well as a nationwide stir against the suspension as well as the situation in Manipur,” AAP spokesperson Akshay Marathe told The Wire.“There is some discussion happening on taking legal action against Singh’s suspension but a final decision has not yet been taken.”AAP said that Singh’s suspension has vindicated the party’s stand about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the ongoing crisis in Manipur.“The party has been saying it is the prime minister who has to lead from the front when there is a severe internal security crisis, it is also the constitutional mandate that when there is any internal security crisis, it has to be dealt with by the central government.“Instead of having a discussion in good faith, they chose to throw out the very person who was trying to have that discussion. And for what? What merited the suspension?“This was excessive. When and how often have MPs been suspended for demanding a discussion under 267 and going to the well of the house. It is fairly common for that to happen.“This vindicates our stand that the prime minister has failed in his responsibility to establish peace and security and his government is not even ready to talk about it.”Manipur has been in the grip of ethnic violence since May 3, in which over 150 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced.While Modi broke his silence last week and spoke outside the parliament building on Thursday, he referred to the harrowing video that went viral on social media the day before – showing two Kuki women being paraded naked in Kangpokpi on May 4 – but did not speak about the overall collapse of law and order in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state.Opposition MPs have been demanding a statement by Modi inside the parliament and a discussion under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha’s ‘Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business’. However, the government does not want to move ahead with Rule 267 and wants a short-duration discussion under Rule 176.Singh was suspended on Monday after he allegedly went to the well of the house to draw the chairman’s attention to the need for a discussion on Manipur.The suspension came after Union minister Piyush Goyal moved a motion seeking Singh’s removal for the remainder of the monsoon season for “disturbing the House” and violating the “ethics and rules of the House”.Both houses of parliament saw repeated adjournments on Monday as opposition MPs demanded a statement from Modi inside the house.Singh’s suspension comes as the Modi government plans to bring in a Bill that seeks to replace the contentious Delhi Ordinance over the control of services in the national capital.According to an AAP leader who did not wish to be named, Singh’s presence in the Rajya Sabha is also crucial when the Bill is introduced.“For the party, the biggest priority is the Delhi ordinance and Sanjay Singh’s presence in the Rajya Sabha is critical for that and the party will do whatever it can to make sure he is there in parliament for that,” the AAP leader said.The AAP has 10 MPs in Rajya Sabha and one MP in the Lok Sabha.The purpose of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which will replace the ordinance has been described in the legislative business list for the monsoon session as: “The conclusions drawn in Constitution Bench pronouncement poses certain challenges to the smooth administration of GNCTD which need to be addressed through appropriate legal interventions.”AAP has opposed the government’s move to bring the Bill in parliament as the matter is sub judice.Earlier this month, the Supreme Court refused to grant an immediate interim stay on the ordinance which was brought on May 11, overriding an order by the apex court which ruled that only Delhi’s elected government has authority over civil servants.Singh’s suspension has also been condemned by the new alliance INDIA of 26 opposition parties that have joined hands against the BJP government.On Monday, INDIA parties held a joint protest outside parliament demanding a statement from Modi on Manipur.After Singh’s suspension, opposition MPs camped outside parliament till late evening holding placards that read “Save Manipur” and protested against the AAP MP’s suspension for demanding a discussion on Manipur.#WATCH | Delhi | Opposition MPs of the Rajya Sabha continue their sit-in protest over the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh for the current session of the Parliament as well as Manipur issue. pic.twitter.com/zhM8toxfvo— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2023“This also presents an opportunity to the new alliance to show its presence as a united front. Different alliance partners are showing solidarity and they will continue to do that throughout the session,” an AAP leader who did not wish to be named said.
