Opposition corners government over 'serious security breach' in Parliament

New Delhi: The Opposition on Wednesday cornered the government over the Lok Sabha security breach incident, with I.N.D.I.A parties staging a walkout of the Rajya Sabha on the issue of the extraordinary events in the Lok Sabha and the refusal of the Home Minister to make a statement on the matter. At an all party meeting, Opposition MPs pointed at the 150-odd vacancies in the Parliament security staff and said there needs to be better coordination among security agencies.

On Thursday, floor leaders of the Opposition are meeting President Droupadi Murmu, while Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to make a statement in both the Houses. I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders will also hold a meeting at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s house on Thursday morning.

Congress floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that a lack of coordination should be addressed. “Outside the complex, the Delhi Police is liable for the security, and inside, the Parliament staff is responsible. There have been lapses due to lack of coordination between the Lok Sabha Speaker’s staff and the Delhi Police,” Chowdhury said addressing reporters after the meet.

He also questioned how could the intruders spend more than their allotted time in the visitor’s gallery. “In the old building, all the amenities and services have not been replicated well, why else will you have the visitors and the MPs entering from the same gate,” he said.

Chowdhury also said that there are more than 150 vacancies for security personnel. “This is a serious breach, especially since it unfolded on the very same day Parliament was attacked 21 years ago. Senior leaders like the prime minister and Sonia Gandhi were there,” he added.

Opposition MPs also demanded an explanation from PM Modi and Shah on action against Mysuru BJP MP Pratap Simha on whose recommendation the intruders got the visitor’s pass.

Citing the expulsion of its MP Mahua Moitra, TMC MPs demanded action against Simha. “Mahua Moitra was expelled over a password, it was linked with national security. The MP who gave passes to these people, we asked the Speaker to name the MP. Is this not a question of security? If the smoke was poisonous, many MPs could have been hurt. We want to see what happens,” TMC parliamentary party leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay said.

Congress MP from Bengaluru Rural D K Suresh also said Simha should have been very careful while facilitating these persons to enter Parliament House. “While issuing passes, it is the MP’s responsibility to verify the background of persons. Simha's negligence has caused this problem,” he said. Defending Pratap Simha, Kolar BJP MP S Muniswamy said some people, who were not happy with the popularity of Pratap Simha might have been involved to discredit him. “A detailed inquiry is needed to find out the background of persons involved in the incident,” he said.

DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, who was part of the all-party meet, said it seemed like the intruders “were trained”.

Two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour and released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs. Around the same time, two persons, including a woman, also sprayed coloured gas from canisters while shouting slogans "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament premises.

In a post on X, party president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the security breach that took place in Parliament is a very serious matter.

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal also demanded a thorough review of the security arrangements in Parliament.

"The infiltration in the Lok Sabha is extremely troubling, especially on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attacks. I am glad there was no major injury or damage done to anyone."

"Parliament is among the most high-security buildings of our country. Such a major security lapse is unacceptable. We demand answers from the Home Ministry and there must be a thorough review of the security arrangements in the new Parliament building," he said in a post on X.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said this was a major security breach inside Parliament on the anniversary of the 2001 attack on Parliament.

"While we agree this attack is not the same as that one, does this not prove that necessary precautions were not taken," he said.

In a post on X, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, "Saw two young men unleash foul smelling yellow coloured gas from canisters inside Parliament gallery. MPs rushed to grab these men. One person was raising some slogans. This raises serious questions on another aspect of the new Parliament building- security."

Party MP Karti Chidambaram said the Zero Hour was going on in the House and he was awaiting his turn to speak. Suddenly, it appeared that one person had fallen down from the visitors gallery, he noted.

"Then we realised that it was a deliberate act of him jumping into the well. There was another person, both of them pulled out canisters which were emitting yellow smoke," he said.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, "Two people entered the house and filled the house with 'smoke'. Today is the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attack on Parliament - and how is such a major lapse in Parliament security possible even today?"

"After all, who were these people whose entry passes were made by BJP's Mysore MP Pratap Simha," she asked.

(With PTI inputs)