Two men reportedly trespassed into the Lok Sabha today and opened tear gas canisters. They also jumped into the well, shouting slogans, The Indian Express reported. The two had reportedly jumped from the public gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber, where they were caught by politicians, and subsequently held by the security personnel.
Journalists alleged that the two shouted “Taanashahi nahi chalegi” – dictatorship will not work. The Hindu reported that the two persons are “said to have received their passes from BJP MP from Mysore, Pratap Simha, as learnt from some Lok Sabha MPs”.
In a chilling reminder to the Parliament attack 21 years back on the same day (Dec 13), a man jumped from visitors’ gallery into Lok Sabha MPs area. The breach could’ve put lives of MPs in danger. It has exposed chinks in the 56inch armour. The man was a guest of @BJP4India MP. pic.twitter.com/qhPX4C4Dia
— Kunwar Danish Ali (@KDanishAli) December 13, 2023
Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Congress leader 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; they were brought out by security personnel. The House was adjourned till 2 pm. This is certainly a security breach because today we observed the death anniversary of people who sacrificed their lives in 2001.”
Videos showed that the two entered the Lok Sabha chamber at about 1:12 pm, while West Bengal BJP MP Khagen Murmu was speaking in the House. The proceedings were subsequently suspended.
#WATCH | An unidentified man jumps from the visitor's gallery of Lok Sabha after which there was a slight commotion and the House was adjourned. pic.twitter.com/Fas1LQyaO4
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023
ANI later reported that people arrested “a man and a woman” outside Transport Bhawan.
#WATCH | Delhi: Two protestors, a man and a woman have been detained by Police in front of Transport Bhawan who were protesting with colour smoke. The incident took place outside the Parliament: Delhi Police pic.twitter.com/EZAdULMliz
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram reportedly said that the canisters were emitting yellow smoke and raised concerns that it could have been “poisonous”. “Suddenly two young men around 20 years old jumped into the House from the visitor’s gallery and had canisters in their hands. These canisters were emitting yellow smoke. One of them was attempting to run towards the Speaker’s chair. They were shouting some slogans.”
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav called it a “complete security lapse”. “Anything could have happened inside the House today…those who come here do not have a tag…the government should look into this.”
Taking to X, Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi said, “This raises serious questions on another aspect of the new Parliament building – security.”
Saw two young men unleash foul smelling yellow coloured gas from canisters inside Parliament gallery. MPs rushed to grab these men. One person was raising some slogans. This raises serious questions on another aspect of the new Parliament building- security.
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) December 13, 2023
Two persons jumped from the Loksabha visitors gallery into the Loksabha house while proceedings were going on during zero hour.
— Dr.Senthilkumar.S (@DrSenthil_MDRD) December 13, 2023
They started advancing and rushing towards the well of the house and they lighted up smoke sticks.
Security was compromised. pic.twitter.com/E5UmWl57dI
This comes days after pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video threatening to attack the Indian Parliament on or before December 13.
Notably, today also marks 22 years of the 2001 Parliament attack which had left nine security personnel dead.
Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.
