Daijiworld Media Network – Bhopal

Bhopal, Jul 27: In a move that has sparked a political storm, the Madhya Pradesh Assembly has banned all forms of protests, sloganeering and symbolic demonstrations within its premises ahead of the monsoon session that begins Monday.

Citing Standing Order 94(2), the Assembly Secretariat has declared the premises a ‘silence zone’ — banning masks, symbolic props, horns, and media interactions. The move comes after past sessions witnessed dramatic protests by Congress MLAs, including black masks, fake snakes, gold bricks and even skeleton costumes to highlight issues such as unemployment and corruption.

The order has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. Hemant Katare, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, called it “authoritarian,” asking, “If the slogans of Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar are now objectionable, are we in a state of emergency?” He urged the Speaker to revoke the directive, alleging government pressure behind the move.

Senior Congress leader Dr Govind Singh warned that if lawmakers are barred from raising issues inside the House, “they will raise them even from jail.” Former minister Lakhan Ghanghoria called the order “unconstitutional,” accusing the Speaker of forgetting democratic traditions.

Ironically, the Assembly has justified the ban as an effort to preserve “the dignity of democracy.” But the opposition argues that democracy without dissent reduces Parliament to a monologue. “Earlier protests may have been theatrical, but they drew attention to serious issues,” said a Congress leader.

BJP MLA and former Protem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma defended the order, saying the Assembly is for constitutional discussion, “not wrestling and chaos.” He suggested protestors take their demonstrations to public grounds like Roshanpura or Dussehra Maidan.

Meanwhile, a total of 3,377 questions have been submitted by legislators ahead of the session, with 2,076 submitted online under the new e-Vidhan system. Departments have been directed to provide timely answers to ensure productive debate during the proceedings.