In his first remarks on the Parliament security breach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the issue “serious” and said that instead of launching debate over the matter, it was necessary to find a solution.
In an interview to Hindi daily Dainik Jagran on Saturday, the PM Modi also stated that the Lok Sabha Speaker is taking all the necessary steps as the issue cannot be taken lightly.
Modi said probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of people behind it and their motives.
The newspaper said he described the breach as “painful and a matter of concern”.
"Efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue," he said.
“The gravity of the incident which happened in Parliament should not be underestimated,” the PM added.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari criticised PM Modi and said he should rather make the statement on the security breach in Parliament.
"Instead of making a statement in the House, PM Modi is speaking about the security breach incident in an interview with a newspaper. A joint parliamentary committee should be formed to probe the incident and Parliament should be told that such an incident will not happen again," he told PTI.
VIDEO | "Instead of making a statement in the House, PM Modi is speaking about the security breach incident in an interview with a newspaper. A joint parliamentary committee should be formed to probe the incident and Parliament should be told that such an incident will not happen… pic.twitter.com/EATqQHgvFo
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 17, 2023
On Wednesday (December 13), which also happened to be the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two people jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery, shouted slogans, and released coloured smoke from canisters, causing panic and chaos in the House.
Around the same time, two others were seen protesting outside the Parliament building.
As many as six arrests have been made in the case so far.
(With agency inputs)