Did the Farm Bills Passage in RS Bypass Parliamentary Rules?

Published: Sept. 21, 2020, 5:46 p.m.

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Eight opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha, including the Trinamool Congress\\u2019 Derek O\\u2019Brien, and AAP\'s Sanjay Singh and others were suspended for a week for \\u201cunruly behaviour\\u201d one day after the passage of two controversial agricultural reform bills.
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The Bills in question, that aim to liberalise the agricultural market, have been triggering massive farmer protests in the states of Punjab and Haryana ever since the Monsoon Session began.
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But, the discussion on the Bills has now turned towards one on parliamentary democracy and has raised questions on whether parliamentary rules were bypassed in the passing of the Bills.
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\\nWhat had started as a peaceful debate took an unprecedented turn with broken microphones, papers flying in the air as the Bills got passed by a voice vote and not a division of votes, despite Opposition parties making a demand for it to the deputy chairperson.
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While the government moved a motion for the suspension of Opposition lawmakers for \\u201cbringing disrepute\\u201d to the House, the Opposition has been accusing the Centre of passing "anti-farmer" bills without the required numbers in rampant violation of parliamentary rules.
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Can a division vote be denied in Parliament? Have there been contraventions of parliamentary conventions in the Rajya Sabha, during the passing of these Bills?
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\\nProducer and Host: Shorbori Purkayastha
\\nGuests:
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Chakshu Roy, PRS legislative
\\nArati Jerath, Senior Journalist
\\nJaved Ansari, Senior Journalist
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\\nEditor: Shelly Walia
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\\nMusic: Big Bang Fuzz
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