On March 21, 2025, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly witnessed unprecedented turmoil as 18 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were suspended for six months due to “indiscipline” and “disrespecting” the Speaker. The incident unfolded during a heated protest by the opposition against the government’s handling of alleged “honey-trap” attempts targeting political figures, reported the Times Now.
The controversy ignited after Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna claimed that attempts had been made to “honey-trap” him and that approximately 48 individuals, including legislators, central leaders, and judges, had fallen victim to similar schemes. Opposition BJP members demanded a judicial inquiry into these allegations, leading to chaotic scenes in the Assembly.
During the session, BJP MLAs stormed the well of the House, some climbing onto the Speaker’s podium and throwing papers, disrupting proceedings. Speaker U T Khader, expressing deep dismay over the conduct, emphasized that such behavior undermines the sanctity of the legislative process. He stated that the Speaker’s chair represents democracy, truth, and justice, and disrespecting it is a direct assault on the House’s dignity.
The suspended MLAs include BJP Chief Whip Doddanna Gouda Patil, C N Ashwath Narayan, S R Vishwanath, B A Basavaraju, M R Patil, Channabasappa, B Suresh Gowda, Umanath Kotyan, Sharanu Salagar, Dr. Shailendra Beldale, C K Ramamurthy, Yashpal Suvarna, B P Harish, Bharath Shetty, Dheeraj Muniraju, Chandru Lamani, Muniratna, and Basavaraj Mattimood.
Following the suspension, the MLAs refused to leave the Assembly, prompting marshals to forcibly evict them. This incident marks an unprecedented action in the Karnataka Assembly, as suspensions typically last for the remainder of the ongoing session rather than extending for six months.
The Assembly proceeded to pass key bills amidst the chaos, including one providing a 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts and another approving salary hikes for the Chief Minister, Ministers, and all legislators, without any discussion.
