Tamil Nadu crisis: Breaking of chairs and tossing of microphones aren't a new phenomenon in state assemblies

On Saturday another incident on violence inside state assembly has taken everyone by surprise, violent protests broke out in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Saturday ahead of the crucial vote of confidence by Edapady Palanisamy government. The Opposition members stalled the proceedings as they turned violent. DMK members broke the chairs, threw microphones and one of them even sat on Speaker P Dhanapal’s chair in protest. Going berserk, the DMK MLAs reportedly tore Speaker’s clothes following which the assembly marshals were ordered to evict them.

Here is a throwback of several instances where MLAs go berserk and resorted to violence inside state assemblies.

Delhi Assembly

In June 2016, Delhi Assembly witnessed huge ruckus with ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and BJP legislators entering into logjam.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta stood on the bench and started yelling, following which CM Arvind Kejriwal lost his cool.

Uttar Pradesh Assembly

There are quite a number of instance when Uttar Pradesh state assembly went berserk, In 1997, during the BJP government, congress Legislative Party leader Pramod Tiwari demanded the division of the House, he was followed by a group of Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs, one of whom allegedly threw a small loudspeaker at the Speaker’s chair. MLAs threw microphone stands, paperweights, glass shards and furniture to attack each other.

In February, 2016,  another incident shocked everyone when MLAs took off their clothes and raised slogans against Akhilesh Yadav government. BSP and RLD members raised anti- government slogans and holding protests during governor's address to the joint session. As soon as the proceedings of the joint house began, the BSP members climbed on their benches displaying banner and placards, and raised issues from law and order to farmers plight.

Jammu and Kashmir assembly

In January 2017, in Kashmir Assembly, members threw tables, furniture, and mikes were thrown. Chairs were thrown; papers were torn as anti-government slogans were raised. The ruckus happened over killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani.Some of the opposition leaders were also sporting black bands.

Manipur Assembly

Trinamool Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman and other members of the opposition raised the issues of an alleged sex scandal involving state forest minister Naresh Jamatia as well as Agartala Municipal Corporation councillor Mrinmoy Sen’s involvement in a molestation case. After Speaker Ramendra Chandra Nath didn’t allow them to continue, opposition members from Congress and Trinamool Congress stood up to protest and trooped into the Well.

Roy Barman went a step ahead and suddenly lifted the Speaker’s mace and ran away. He later gave it to Marshal Arun Das. Amid the ensuing pandemonium, Nath adjourned the House till 2pm and all the opposition MLAs staged a walk-out.

Tamil Nadu assembly

January 1988, a month after M.G. Ramachandran passed away, the Tamil Nadu assembly witnessed uproar when Jayalalithaa’s supporters, who was then a Rajya Sabha MP and supporters of his widow, Janaki clashed with chief minister.  There some MLa also tried to tear late Jayalalithaa clothes.  

In 2014, there was a pepper spray attack by three MPs in the Lok Sabha, following a ruckus over the introduction of the Telangana Bill. 16 Andhra Pradesh MPs were suspended as a result of the violence.

West Bengal

In February 2017, heated discussion regarding Property Damage Bill lead to violence in Bengal Assembly. The opposition wanted amendments to the Bill but they were overruled by the speaker. Speaker suspended senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Abdul Mannan. He refused to leave the house a ruckus ensued when marshals tried to force him out . Later, a scuffle erupted leading to hospitalisation on Abdul Mannan.