A major Lok Sabha Security Breach occurred on Wednesday when two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery, raised slogans, and released yellow smoke, causing panic. No Member of Parliament was injured, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not present. The incident happened around 1 pm during Zero Hour proceedings, leading to the immediate adjournment of the House until 2 pm and later for the day.
Parliament security staff apprehended the two intruders, identified as Sagar Sharma (25) from Lucknow and Manoranjan D (35) from Mysore. MPs caught them, and one intruder was roughed up. Two others, Neelam Singh (42) from Hisar in Haryana and Amol Shinde (25) from Latur in Maharashtra, were arrested near Parliament House after opening smoke canisters following the Lok Sabha Security Breach.
A search is underway for their associate, Lalit Jha, who was carrying their identity cards and mobile phones, according to the police. Jha had taken the four to his friend Vicky’s house in Gurgaon when they arrived in the Capital three days ago. The two men held in the Lok Sabha were seated in the visitors’ gallery, gaining access with visitor passes facilitated by Pratap Simha, BJP MP from Mysuru. They took out canisters from their shoes and, as seen in television footage, jumped from desk to desk, seemingly heading towards the Well of the House. Members present reported that the two men chanted slogans like “tanashahi nahi chalegi” (dictatorship won’t be accepted).
After the proceedings resumed following the Lok Sabha Security Breach, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated, “This is a serious incident. Therefore, a high-level probe into the Lok Sabha Security Breach is being conducted. Based on the probe’s findings, action will be taken. A detailed review of the existing security arrangements inside the Parliament House will also be taken up. All party leaders and MPs have requested for that. How it can be improved further.. made fool-proof.”
He added that a meeting of leaders from all parties had been called. “In our preliminary probe, it has come to our notice that the smoke was harmless and not a cause for concern,” mentioned Birla.
BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal, who presided over the House proceedings during the Lok Sabha Security Breach, described witnessing one person falling from the visitors’ gallery and another man jumping on the desks. “One of them took something out of his shoes that was emitting smoke. The security personnel caught them, and it remains to be seen who they are, what their objective was, and what organization they are associated with,” he said.
A police officer stated, “For now, we know that the persons managed to get general visitor passes. You have to apply for these passes beforehand, and a background check is done. Inside the building, there are security checks and scanners. However, these persons managed to carry smoke cans and break into Lok Sabha.”
Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said: “Two young men jumped from the gallery, and something was hurled by them from which gas was emitting. They were caught by MPs, (and) they were brought out by security personnel. The House was adjourned until 2 pm. This is certainly a security breach because today we observed the death anniversary of people who sacrificed their lives in 2001.”
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the canisters were emitting yellow smoke, raising concerns about what if it were “poisonous.”
“Suddenly two young men jumped into the House from the visitors’ gallery and had canisters. These canisters were emitting yellow smoke. One of them was attempting to run towards the Speaker’s chair. They were shouting some slogans. The smoke could have been poisonous. This is a serious breach of security, especially on December 13, the day when Parliament was attacked in 2001,” he said.