Goolihatti Shekar is one of the five MLAs whose disqualification from assembly was annulled by the SC.
Facing a sustained attack from Independent MLAs for five days, speaker KG Bopaiah on Friday cracked the whip. Goolihatti Shekar was suspended from the legislative assembly for a day when he addressed Bopaiah as “tainted speaker”.
Independent MLAs have been demanding Bopaiah’s resignation in the wake of the Supreme Court order quashing the disqualification of five Independent MLAs.
The mood in the house flared up when Bopaiah allowed Shekar to raise the issue. Shekar began the speech by addressing Bopaiah as “Mr tainted speaker”. Immediately, BJP members Shivaraj, Beluru Gopalakrishna and others protested against Shekar and demanded action against him.
Shekar drew their attention to the Supreme Court order that said Bopaiah had acted in a biased manner and with mala fide intentions to disqualify five independents. Bopaiah’s action saved the then BS Yeddyurappa government during the trial of strength.
Bopaiah lost his cool when Shekar addressed him as ‘tainted speaker’. He asked law and parliamentary affairs minister S Suresh Kumar to move a motion to name the member, to which the minister agreed under rule 357 of the Rules of Business of the House for taking disciplinary action. Bopaiah then suspended Shekar from the assembly and ordered the assembly marshals to evict him. Shekar was forcibly taken out; he moved out waving a black flag, protesting the action.
Speaking to the media, Shekar said he had no intention of showing disrespect to the speaker.
“I was about to ask the speaker if I could address him as ‘tainted speaker’ in the light of strictures passed by the Supreme Court. Even before I could complete my sentence, such strong action has been taken against me. I was denied an opportunity to defend myself,” he said.
“The government and the speaker have usurped a Dalit’s right. I have been punished for no fault. I have been trying to raise the issue for the past five days and I have been denied an opportunity. Now, when I tried to raise the issue, I have been suspended. This is gross injustice,” added Shekar.
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