Bengaluru, March 22 -- The suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Karnataka Assembly for six months has triggered sharp reactions, with Speaker U.T. Khader defending his decision and Congress leaders calling it necessary to maintain order, while the Opposition termed it a "shameful day for Democracy."

The Speaker asserted that his decision was under the Constitution and dismissed the opposition's allegations. "I have upheld the Constitution. The people of Karnataka and India are aware of what transpired. I must safeguard the dignity of the Constitutional chair and I have done so," Khader told reporters.

Dy.CM and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar condemned the BJP, accusing its MLAs of "hooliganism" in the Assembly. "The BJP has ...