Kolkata, 2 September (H.S.): Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suvendu Adhikari was suspended from the House proceedings for a day on Tuesday, the second day of the special session. The suspension came after Adhikari raised slogans inside the Assembly in support of the Indian Army.

The controversy stems from an incident on Monday when the Army dismantled a protest stage set up by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) at the Maidan in Kolkata, an area under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Command. The Army stated that permission for the stage had been granted only for two days, but the TMC demonstration continued well beyond the deadline.

On Tuesday, State Education Minister Bratya Basu raised the issue in the Assembly, remarking, “When the Army dismantled our stage, it reminded us of the Pakistani Army’s shooting incident in Dhaka on March 25, 1971. The Army removed our stage for political reasons.”

This comment triggered strong protests from BJP legislators, who accused Basu of insulting the Indian Army. Led by Suvendu Adhikari, they began shouting slogans in support of the Army inside the House.

As the situation escalated, Speaker Biman Banerjee ordered the Marshal of the Assembly to intervene. However, before any eviction could take place, the BJP legislators staged a walkout under Adhikari’s leadership.

Speaking to reporters outside, Adhikari said, “I have been suspended once again. I was suspended today because I spoke in favor of the Indian Army. I feel proud of our Army, and no one can stop us from raising our voice in their support.”

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh