The hallowed halls of Lok Sabha erupted in chaos after two unidentified individuals breached security, leaping from the visitors’ gallery onto the chamber floor. The brazen act, witnessed around 1 PM during Zero Hour, triggered immediate commotion and led to the House’s adjournment till 2 PM.
Reports vary on the exact details of the incident. BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal, presiding officer at the time, described two individuals brandishing smoke canisters before being apprehended by security. Others, like Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, claimed gas canisters emitting yellow smoke were hurled within the chamber.
The incident sparked outrage across party lines. Opposition MPs, including TMC’s Sudip Bandyopadhyay and DMK’s Kanimozhi, expressed grave concerns and demanded a thorough investigation. Calls for stricter security measures echoed through the House, with accusations of a “grave security lapse” against the existing system.
Following the brief recess, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the matter. He confirmed the apprehension of two individuals and referred the incident to Delhi Police for further investigation. Preliminary findings, he stated, suggest the smoke canisters were meant to create a “sensation” and contained nothing harmful.
However, the concerns refused to dissipate. Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reiterated the seriousness of the breach, questioning the efficacy of parliamentary security protocols. Sudip Bandyopadhyay emphasized the need for a more cautious approach and a comprehensive review of security arrangements.
The repercussions extended beyond Lok Sabha. In Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep concern, stating that the incident raised serious questions about parliamentary security. He was met with counter-accusations of politicizing the issue from Leader of the House Piyush Goyal, who stressed the ongoing investigation and urged patience until the final report.
Ultimately, the incident caused a walkout by Opposition parties from Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla convened an All-Party Meeting to discuss the breach and address concerns.