MP Assembly Bans Protests, Sloganeering for Monsoon Session; Congress Criticizes Circular

Quick Summary:

• The Madhya Pradesh Assembly Secretariat issued a circular on July 10 prohibiting protests, sloganeering, and demonstrations in the Assembly premises for the upcoming Monsoon session starting July 28.
• The circular cited security protocols and referenced Standing order 94(2) of the Speaker but claimed it was part of routine procedures issued ahead of each session.
• Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar from Congress criticized the decision, calling it a “murder of democracy” and alleging government pressure to avoid scrutiny over alleged false statistics in House discussions.
• He emphasized Article 194 of the Constitution granting MLAs powers to address public issues in assemblies and reiterated Congress’s demand for live streaming proceedings.
• Principal Secretary A.P.Singh clarified that no new or special ban had been imposed, stating such circulars are standard practice before Assembly sessions.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The prohibition on sloganeering and demonstrations within the Assembly premises reflects an effort by authorities to enhance decorum during legislative sessions under routine security measures. However, these restrictions have sparked concerns over whether they infringe upon MLAs’ constitutional rights to raise public issues robustly-an essential element of democratic governance as specified under Article 194 of India’s Constitution. While security considerations are valid,ensuring obvious dialog remains vital for maintaining trust in legislative processes among policymakers and citizens alike,notably with recurring calls for live-streaming proceedings to enhance accountability.

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