NEW DELHI: India’s opposition parties angry over the suspension of nearly 150 of their parliament members held pro-democracy protests across the country on Friday.

Many leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) participated in a protest at Jantar Mantar, near the parliament complex, in central Delhi while their supporters held demonstrations in various states.

The opposition accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of undermining democracy.

They said suspending 146 lawmakers for demanding a discussion in the legislature on the recent parliament security breach was unprecedented and undemocratic.

“The more you try to crush us, the more we will rise. We are fighting unitedly to save the country and democracy,“ Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

The opposition alliance has demanded a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the security breach on December 13, when two men disrupted proceedings in the lower house after they jumped into the chamber from the visitors’ gallery and released smoke from hand-held canisters.

Kharge said after suspending the opposition MPs, the government passed new laws.

Crucial laws related to revamping the criminal justice system, appointment of the chief election commissioner and a telecommunications bill were passed in parliament amid empty rows of seats and with virtually no discussion, according to an Indian Express newspaper report.–Bernama