The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, June 28, 2003, Chandigarh, India

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Sealed-lip protest by MLAs
Tribune News Service

Suspended BJP MLAs take out a silent rally on the Vidhan Sabha campus in Shimla on Friday. — Photo Anil Dayal

Shimla, June 27
The 18 suspended legislators lodged their protest against the dictatorial style of functioning of the ruling Congress party in a novel way by taking out a procession with their lips sealed with black ribbon.

The protestors, with their sealed mouths sat in the Opposition lounge during the House proceedings. They later moved out of the Vidhan Sabha complex in a silent procession carrying placards with slogans like ‘Khabardar Vidhan Sabha aur bahar bolna mana hai’.

Talking to newsmen, Mr P.K. Dhumal, leader of the BJP, said the Congress government had given democracy a decent burial in the state. The voice of the Opposition was being silenced and the members were suspended from the House to block discussion on important issues such as drought and fodder shortage. The government was not keen to have a serious debate on any issue. It’s approach in the house had been casual, he added.

The House proceedings have not gone beyond the lunch time during the entire week. The Opposition had given notices on several issues but these were not taken up. The questions and discussion on drought to be taken up today were deleted from the list. The members were suspended just within 30 minutes after the House assembled and that too for two days. The only reason was that the government was not keen on discussing the drought situation.

He said the Congress leaders should not give sermonise on the sanctity of the Budget as they had created unruly scenes even during the Governor’s address.

Speaker Gangu Ram Musafir said the questions and discussion listed for today had to be deleted as the members concerned had been suspended. He said there was no blocking of discussion and the session would continue until July 21. The members were free to raise issues which could not be taken up today. Moreover, general debate on the Budget would commence on Monday, during which the members could speak on any matter.