It was requested that the home ministry conduct a security review of Parliament following an incident where two individuals jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber. Members of the opposition raised concerns and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident during an all-party meeting. They also called for action to be taken against BJP MP Prathap Simha, who facilitated their access passes.
The Speaker, Om Birla, convened the all-party meeting to address security concerns following the breach, which occurred on the anniversary of the 2001 terror attack on Parliament. Members from different parties flagged various issues and highlighted the need for enhanced security measures in Parliament’s new building.
Trinamool Congress members Sudip Bandhopadhya and Kalyan Banerjee referenced the expulsion of party member Mahua Moitra for allowing outsiders to use her log-in credentials, and urged for action against Simha.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, given the significance of the date as the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack.
Government sources downplayed the possibility of serious action against Simha, citing the routine practice of MPs requesting passes for individuals. However, the Speaker assured members that steps would be taken to enhance security and prevent similar breaches in the future.
Some members suggested installing a glass barricade to prevent incidents like the recent breach, while others proposed the deployment of full-body scanners and raised concerns about crowded lobbies outside chambers. RSP member N K Premachandran also raised the possibility of a Khalistani angle to the incident, noting the color of the smoke from a canister used by one of the individuals.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee criticized the architecture of Parliament’s new building and called for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, attributing the security failure to him.
The meeting was convened by Birla to address the incident during the Zero Hour submissions, and existing security measures are being evaluated. Visitors’ passes have been suspended, and concerns have been raised about the government’s response if an opposition MP had been involved in issuing passes to the individuals involved in the breach.