Oppn MLAs suspended in Assam assembly for criticising education department

GUWAHATI: Two opposition MLAs in the Assam assembly faced brief suspensions on Friday (February 23) for ‘disregarding’ the Speaker's directives and persisting in raising concerns about irregularities in the state’s education department.

Assam Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed was suspended during a calling attention session, where he shed light on “severe irregularities” in the recent school evaluation system, ‘Gunotsav’.

Citing a newspaper report, Ahmed criticized the BJP-led Assam government, alleging that a chowkidar had impersonated a school teacher at Mandia in Barpeta district.

Assam education minister, Ranoj Pegu, responded to Ahmed's queries, but the opposition member remained dissatisfied with the explanation.

Despite the minister's reply, Ahmed continued to critique the Assam education department and demanded accountability.

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Speaker Biswajit Daimary repeatedly instructed Ahmed to cease speaking, stating that the minister had already provided a response and that supplementary questioning was not permitted during the calling attention session.

However, Ahmed persisted, leading to his suspension by Daimary.

AIUDF MLA Ashraful Hussain protested against the Speaker's decision, arguing that Ahmed was addressing a crucial issue affecting the state's education system.

In response, Daimary rebuked Hussain and suspended him as well.

House Marshals intervened, escorting the suspended MLAs out of the assembly hall.

Both Ahmed and Hussain were allowed to re-enter the House once the calling attention session concluded, which lasted approximately 10 minutes.