Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: LS Speaker Upset With Politics On Security Breach Issue

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday expressed his displeasure over the “politicisation” of the Parliament security breach incident, stating that the matter is being probed by a high-level committee. The Speaker told the members during Question Hour that the security of Parliament is under the purview of the Lok Sabha secretariat and that the suspension of some opposition members was not related to the December 13 incident but to the members bringing placards to the House.

He said a high-level committee has already begun its probe and some of the suggestions given to him at the all-party meeting to enhance the security of the parliament have been implemented. The Speaker said he would continue to consult the members on the issue and urged them to take their seats.

“It is sad that politics is being done on this issue…To enter the Well of the House and sloganeering is against the dignity of the House. I request your (opposition) cooperation to hold discussions on important issues,” he said.

Both Houses of Parliament earlier witnessed uproarious scenes as Opposition MPs moved notices in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, seeking a discussion on the recent breach in Parliament security as the proceedings began on Monday. Amid the continued din, ruckus and high drama, both Houses were adjourned briefly. Lok Sabha Speaker adjourned the House till noon following a ruckus from the Opposition. Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11:30 am.

The Opposition MPs also demanded a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah whereas several others pressed for his resignation.

Ahead of Parliamentary proceedings on Monday, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “The Opposition wants to talk about the breach in the security of the Parliament, the pass given by BJP MP and loopholes in the security…This is a very serious issue for us.”

Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre over the issue, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut said, “If there was any other party in power at the Centre, then BJP would have shut down the entire Delhi on this issue.”

“No action was taken against the BJP MP who gave these people (accused in incident) to enter Parliament…There should be no politics on this issue of national security. He (PM) should speak on this issue in Parliament,” he added. 

The BJP has accused the Opposition of politicising the issue to which Congress MP KC Venugopal said, “The PM says this is a serious issue but he is not ready to discuss it in the Parliament.” 

“We have only one demand- we need clarification from the government. But the government is not giving any clarification. Then who is politicising the issue,” he added. 

Since two persons with gas canisters jumped into the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery, triggering panic inside the House, the opposition lawmakers are demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue.

A total of 14 opposition MPs – 13 in Lok Sabha and 1 in Rajya Sabha – are currently suspended for the remainder of the Winter Session for creating a ruckus inside their respective Houses while demanding Shah’s statement.

Among the 13 MPs suspended from the Lok Sabha, nine are from the Congress, two from the CPM, one from the CPI, and one from the DMK. Sticking to the matter, Congress Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari has given an Adjournment Motion notice to discuss the Parliament security breach incident.

DMK MP T Siva has moved a Suspension of Business notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the December 13 incident. The security breach happened on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. Two people–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 anti-establishment slogans before being overpowered by the MPs.

Outside parliament, in another incident, two protestors – Neelam (42) and Amol (25) — protested outside the Parliament with similar gas canisters. However, all four were sent to seven-day custody of Delhi Police Special Cell on December 14.

Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated the demand for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah in the House. Hitting out at the BJP-led central government over the massive security breach, the Congress President said that the BJP leaders are not ready to let the House function.

“It is a serious issue and the government should pay attention to it. We are repeatedly saying in Parliament that the Union Home Minister should come to the House and give a statement but he does not want to come. They (BJP) are not ready to let the House function. This is not a good thing for democracy but there is no point in talking to people who do not believe in democracy,” Kharge told ANI.