India’s parliament erupted in havoc Feb. 13 when a legislator released pepper spray in the lower house to protest a bill for the creation of a new state.
As the government prepared to present the bill to create Telangana out of the southern state, several lawmakers fervently opposed the bill and disrupted the proceedings.
Congress Party member Andhra Pradesh fired pepper spray in the wall of the lower house while other members attempted to break microphones on the speaker’s desk.
The speaker suspended 17 members of Parliament for disrupting the house. These members will also be barred from Parliament for five consecutive sittings.
The controversial Telangana bill has inspired a number of protests and arguments in the past.
