In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two persons on Wednesday jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour and released yellow gas from canisters, shouting slogans before being overpowered by MPs.
Amid the din in the Lower House, two people — including a woman — also sprayed coloured gas from canisters while raising slogans such as ‘Tanashahi Nahi Chalegi’ outside Parliament premises. All four were detained by security forces.
The accused in the Lok Sabha incident have been identified as Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan. Sharma had come to the visitor’s gallery as a guest of Mysuru Lok Sabha member Pratap Simha. The two jumped into the chamber from the public gallery at around 1pm. Several MPs present in the House during the incident said while one was spotted jumping over the benches, the other was left dangling from the gallery before jumping into the Chamber.
“Two intruders have been arrested from inside Parliament, two from outside. All their belongings have been seized…The entire matter is being investigated thoroughly,” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said when the House reconvened at 2 pm. Birla also called a meeting of MPs from all parties later in the day to address their concerns over the matter.
Here’s who said what after the shocking security breach:
• Congress MP Shashi Tharoor: “The fact that these people were apparently sponsored by a sitting MP of the ruling party…These people smuggled in smoke pistols which show there is a serious security lapse. Not only they fired the pistols but also shouted some slogans inaudible to some of us. The new building does not seem to be configured very well when it comes to security by comparison with the arrangements in the old building….”
• Union minister Piyush Goyal: “…I think Rajya Sabha is the House of Elders. We should give a message that this country is strength is above all this. House proceedings should continue…I think Congress is politicising it and this is not a good message for the country…”
• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge: “…The issue is very serious. This is not a question of just Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, this is about how two people were able to come inside despite such elaborate security and cause a security breach…”
• Rajya Sabha Speaker Jadgeep Dhankhar: “The moment I came to know about it, I called the Director of Security. I told him to give him an update. The update which he gave me at the point of time, I have shared with the House. It is a matter of concern but let us await details and then we will be able to reflect…”
• Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: “Today itself, we paid floral tribute to our bravehearts who sacrificed their lives during the Parliament attack and today itself there was an attack here inside the House. Does it prove that we failed to maintain a high level of security?…All the MPs fearlessly nabbed the two people but I want to know where were the security officials when all of this happened?…”
• Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, who caught hold of the two men: “…He (accused) had something in his hand which was emitting yellow-coloured smoke. I snatched it away and continued throwing it outside…This is a major security breach…”
• BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal, who was presiding over the Chair of Speaker: “There is a loophole for sure. When the first person came down, we thought he might have fallen but when the second person started coming down, all of us became cautious. The person tried to open his shoes and took something out after which smoke came out. Action will be taken against this. The Speaker and responsible people will make the decision on this. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also reached the House when all of this happened…”
• TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay: “It was a terrible experience. Nobody could guess what was their target and why were they doing this. We all left the House immediately, but it was a security lapse. How could they enter with instruments releasing smoke?”
• Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah: “BJP MP Pratap Simha should be questioned. Those who breached security might be known to him. If he didn’t know them, how did he give them the passes? Any tragedy that might occur due to irresponsibility is a punishable offence.”
• Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: “Today’s breach in Parliament, on the solemn anniversary of 2001 attack, is an affront to our democratic values. The security of our temple of democracy cannot be compromised. An urgent investigation is vital to uncover who were the attackers, how did they get in, what were their motives… Action must be swift and strict.”
• AAP MP Raghav Chadha: “India still remembers the attack on our Parliament in 2001. Today’s security breach is an agonizing echo of that dark day, reopening wounds on its anniversary. This is not just a breach; it’s an outright attack on our democracy. An immediate and thorough investigation is needed to swiftly unmask the perpetrators. Our Parliament stands as a sacred symbol of our nation, and if this temple of our democracy isn’t secure, then what can be? We must fiercely protect our democratic institutions.”
• Congress leader KC Venugopal: “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.”
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin: “The unprecedented security breach in the parliament poses a dangerous threat to our august temple of democracy. Swift action must be taken without delay. I appeal for launching a prompt investigation, fixing accountability, and implementing measures to prevent future lapses, ensuring the protection of this vital institution with all the might at our command.”
• Trinamool Congress on X: “Our MP Mahua Moitra was unjustly expelled for allegedly breaching national security by sharing her login credentials. Today @BJP4Karnataka MP @mepratap put the security of the entire Parliament at risk by issuing a visitor’s pass to the intruders. What is stopping him from getting expelled? Why should a similar treatment not be meted out to him? What gives him the right to continue as a Parliamentarian after jeopardising the safety of fellow MPs?”
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