Bengaluru The Karnataka Assembly witnessed intense chaos on Friday, leading Speaker U.T. Khader to suspend 18 BJP MLAs for six months. These legislators were accused of disrespecting the Speaker's chair and disrupting the Assembly proceedings.
According to reports, the honey trap scandal and the Muslim reservation bill have become major political issues in Karnataka. As soon as the Assembly session commenced, BJP demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the honey trap scandal. The government initiated a discussion on the Muslim reservation bill, which BJP members strongly opposed, leading to a heated protest. During the chaos, several BJP legislators tore copies of the bill and threw them at the Speaker while shouting slogans like "Honey Trap Sarkar" (Honey Trap Government).
Despite repeated requests from the Speaker for the opposition to maintain decorum, the protests continued. According to media reports, during the budget approval process, BJP legislators stormed the Speaker's podium, some climbed onto the dais, and threw documents at the Speaker while raising slogans. This created a tense situation in the Assembly, forcing security marshals to intervene and physically remove the protesting MLAs.
The Speaker's ruling resulted in the suspension of the following 18 BJP legislators: Doddangouda Patil (Kushtagi), Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan (Malleswaram), S.R. Vishwanath (Yelahanka), B.A. Basavaraj (K.R. Pura), M.R. Patil (Kundagol), S.S. Channabasappa (Shimoga), Umanath Kotian (Moodbidri), B. Suresh Gowda (Tumakuru Rural), Dr. Shailendra (Bidar South), Sharanu Salagar (Basavakalyan), C.K. Ramamurthy (Jayanagar), Yashpal Suvarna (Udupi), B.P. Harish (Harihar), Munirathna (Rajarajeshwari Nagar), Dr. Bharath Shetty, Basavaraj Mattimod (Kalaburagi Rural), Dr. Chandru Lamani (Shirahatti), and Dheeraj Muniraju (Doddaballapur).
The suspended MLAs will face several restrictions, including a ban on entering the Assembly hall, lobby, or galleries. They are barred from attending any Assembly or parliamentary committee meetings, and their names will not be included in any official Assembly proceedings. They cannot participate in any voting process in the Assembly and will not receive any salary or allowances during the suspension period.
Speaker U.T. Khader defended his decision, stating that disrupting the Assembly proceedings and disrespecting the Speaker’s chair is unacceptable, and hence, strict action was necessary. Assembly Secretary M.K. Vishalakshi also confirmed that all mentioned restrictions will apply to the suspended MLAs.
The BJP has strongly condemned the suspension, calling it an undemocratic move. The party claims that the government is trying to suppress the opposition's voice and that the suspension is politically motivated. BJP has also indicated its plan to challenge the decision in court and take the matter to the Governor. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra criticized the Congress government, stating that the suspension is against democratic values.
Congress leader Pradeep Ishwar, reacting to the suspension, supported the decision, stating that if he were the Speaker, he would have suspended them for two years. He said that throwing books and papers in the Assembly is an unforgivable act.