In the political arena of New Delhi, a Trinamool MP added a touch of humor to an opposition protest within the parliament today. Amidst the suspension of 49 MPs, this unexpected comic relief, however, evolved into a substantial controversy. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, presiding over the Rajya Sabha, expressed strong disapproval, labeling the parody as "shameful and unacceptable."
Kalyan Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress, among the 141 opposition MPs currently suspended from parliamentary activities, was captured on video mimicking Vice President Dhankhar on the steps outside the "Makar Dwar" of the newly constructed Parliament building.
The impromptu skit drew laughter from fellow MPs, with even prominent figures like Rahul Gandhi recording the scene on their mobile phones. In the video, Banerjee animatedly gestures and speaks, humorously claiming, "My spine is so straight, I'm so tall," while depicting a satirical version of the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha during a mock parliament organized by protesting MPs.
Vice President Dhankhar strongly denounced the incident, describing it as "ridiculous and unacceptable." As the House reconvened at noon after being adjourned, he addressed the issue, pointing out the impropriety of a senior leader, in this case, Rahul Gandhi, recording another party member.
"Mimicry of the Chairman, mimicry of Speaker. How ridiculous, how shameful, how unacceptable," he remarked.
The BJP, in response, shared the video and criticized both Banerjee and Gandhi for mocking the vice president. The party suggested a connection between the suspension of opposition MPs and their actions, stating, "If the country was wondering why opposition MPs were suspended, here is the reason."
The opposition MPs had been pushing for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding a recent security breach. Dhankhar had earlier characterized the MPs' actions as an "absolute transgression" of rules.
Delhi police, shedding light on the security breach, revealed that it was well-coordinated and meticulously planned over months by a group of six individuals. The motive behind the unprecedented "smoke protest," as investigators explained, was to draw attention to issues such as growing unemployment, the plight of farmers, and the situation in Manipur.
The group, affiliated with a Facebook page named "Fans of Bhagat Singh," believed that a dramatic protest would serve as a means to bring these critical matters into parliamentary discussion. The protest aimed to highlight concerns regarding the aforementioned issues and capture public and political attention.
In the midst of parliamentary suspensions, the incident involving Banerjee's mimicry and the subsequent controversy has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing political dynamics in New Delhi. As the debate continues, the focus remains on addressing the security breach and the pressing issues raised by the protesting MPs.