New Delhi: Suspended Opposition members of Rajya Sabha sit on protest on the third day of the Winter Session against their suspension from the House for the remaining part of the ongoing session of Parliament.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge joined the suspended MPs at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises. 

The suspended MPs resumed their protest after Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu refused to revoke their suspension despite a request by the Opposition leaders on Tuesday. Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge questioned Rajya Sabha Chairman's decision to suspend 12 MPs over the incident that happened in the last Monsoon session.

Dola Sen, TMC MP who has been suspended from the Winter session, said, "The suspension of MPs shows the arrogance of those in the majority. When they were in opposition they also used to disrupt Parliament proceedings. We will continue our 'dharna till the time we don't get justice".

"Centre has to realize that in this country other voices deserve to be heard. Parliament is for debate and discussion, you've to allow people to express their views, only then can you truly run a democratic Parliament",  said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in support of  12 suspended Rajya Sabha MPs.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, sought 'remorse' from the MPs instead of protest.

"If the 12 suspended members of Rajya Sabha want to come to the House, then they should express remorse. Let them sit on dharna...I pray Mahatma Gandhi gives them wisdom", said  Pralhad Joshi.