During the winter session of the West Bengal Assembly, Speaker Biman Banerjee has prohibited legislators from shouting slogans or protesting on the House premises without his permission. He has also forbidden media persons from taking photographs and recording videos on the Assembly premises without permission.
In an order on December 1, the Speaker stated that members cannot engage in activities such as shouting slogans, staging protests, or making demonstrations within the Assembly House precincts without obtaining specific permission. The Speaker emphasized the need to maintain discipline and sanctity of the House.
In response to the orders, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Suvendu Adhikari stated that the Speaker’s orders will not be able to stop the Opposition from protesting. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul reiterated that as the Opposition, it is their responsibility to raise their voice against corrupt practices of the government.
The ruling TMC defended the Speaker’s decision, stating that it was taken to maintain the sanctity of the House. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandev Chattopadhyay also supported the Speaker’s authority to maintain order in the House.
Since November 28, there has been a continuous face-off between the TMC and the BJP, as they engage in confrontational protests inside and outside the House. The competitive protests include TMC MLAs staging a dharna and the BJP protesting against corruption allegations against the state government.
The tensions between the two parties intensified on December 1 when BJP MLAs reached the Ambedkar statue with gangajal in a kalash and gamchha on their heads, claiming to “purify” the statue. Following this, TMC filed an FIR against 20 BJP MLAs for allegedly insulting the National Anthem during the protest.