TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Suspended After Alleged Remarks Against Women MPs; Earlier Demanded Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee was suspended from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the ongoing Monsoon Session on Wednesday after the House passed a resolution over alleged objectionable remarks made during a heated exchange. The decision came shortly after the House resumed proceedings in the afternoon, adding to another day of political confrontation in Parliament.

The issue was raised before the House by Presiding Officer Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who referred to a complaint submitted by Members of Parliament alleging that Banerjee's comments had hurt the dignity of the House and were directed at women MPs. Following the complaint, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved a resolution seeking Banerjee's suspension, which was subsequently approved by the Lok Sabha.

The suspension triggered reactions from both the ruling alliance and the Opposition. Interestingly, TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh described the action as "absolutely justified," while the government maintained that Parliament must uphold decorum and respect at all times.

Defending the decision, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, "It is the duty of every Member of Parliament to uphold the dignity of Parliament. The way they conducted themselves, behaved, and made objectionable remarks against women MPs, action should certainly be taken. Such action is necessary to maintain the dignity of Parliament."

Earlier in the day, Banerjee had strongly backed the ongoing protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During his speech, he said, "When our children and students fight on streets, we are their representatives. Who will fight for them if not us? We will continue to fight. We will fight everywhere. Dharmendra Pradhan will have to resign."

Escalating his criticism of the Centre, the TMC leader also accused the government of corruption and alleged irregularities in examination processes, describing it as a "government of thieves" and "a government of dacoits."

The suspension comes amid repeated disruptions in Parliament over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, police action against protesters in Delhi, and demands from Opposition parties for accountability and a detailed discussion on the issue. With the political temperature continuing to rise inside and outside Parliament, further confrontations between the government and Opposition are expected during the remaining days of the Monsoon Session.