NEW DELHI: Leaders of various opposition parties on Thursday demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement on the issue of the Parliament security breach followed by a discussion on the matter in both houses.
This was decided at a meeting of opposition leaders held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
"In view of the gravity of the situation adversely impacting upon the security of the institution of Parliament and Parliamentarians, on behalf of the opposition and INDIA parties, we demand that a statement of Union Home Minister on this serious matter be followed by a discussion in regard to urgent remedial security measures in the abode of Democracy," Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X after the meeting.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the 'INDIA' parties are demanding a detailed statement by the Home Minister in both Houses, followed by a discussion on the security breach witnessed in the Lok Sabha. They are also demanding strict action against BJP MP Pratap Simha who provided the visitor passes to the intruders.
"The Modi government's refusal to accept these perfectly legitimate and reasonable demands has led to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha today morning," he added.
In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Wednesday, two persons—Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D—jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs.
Several Congress MPs, including Kharge, have given notices for adjournment in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue while setting aside all other business of the House.
While Congress MP and whip Manickam Tagore has given an adjournment notice in Lok Sabha, party MP and whip in Rajya Sabha Naseer Hussain gave a similar adjournment notice under Rule 267 for discussing the issue. Another Party MP Jebi Mather also gave a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue.
Some parties are also contemplating meeting President Droupadi Murmu on the security issue and seeking her intervention as it involves the security of all MPs.
In his adjournment notice, Hussain said two unauthorised visitors infiltrated the Lok Sabha chamber, causing chaos by shouting slogans and detonating smoke bombs while the House was in session.
He said before this intrusion, two protestors engaged in a demonstration outside Parliament House.
"These incidents seem to be part of a coordinated effort, involving a total of five individuals: the two infiltrators inside the Lok Sabha Chamber, the two protestors, and an additional person, all suspected to be working in collusion," he said.
"Given the gravity of the situation and its direct impact on the security of the esteemed institution of Parliament and its members, I propose that we demand a statement from the Home Minister regarding this matter.
"Subsequently, I suggest that the House engage in a comprehensive discussion on urgent remedial security measures to address and prevent such breaches in the future," Hussain said in his adjournment notice."