Floor leaders of the opposition’s INDIA bloc held a meeting on Monday before the commencement of the 11th day of the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
The members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance convened in the chamber of Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament to strategize on how to corner the Centre in both houses. Senior leaders such as Farooq Abdullah, Jairam Ramesh, Ramgopal Yadav, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury attended the meeting.
The Opposition members are insisting on a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah following an incident where two individuals with gas canisters jumped into the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery, causing panic inside the House. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated the demand for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah in the House.
Criticizing the BJP-led central government over the significant security breach, the Congress President remarked that BJP leaders are hindering the functioning of the House. He stated, “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.”
DMK MP T Siva expressed, “What we are asking for is not abnormal. The government is saying a probe is going on. Let the Home Minister come to the Parliament and make a statement on how it happened, actions taken, and developments. Our intention is not to disturb the Parliament, at the same time we expect the government to respond.”
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury emphasized, “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.” The INDIA bloc, which faced a setback after their 14 MPs—13 in Lok Sabha and 1 in Rajya Sabha—were suspended for the remainder of the Winter Session for creating a ruckus inside their respective Houses while demanding Shah’s statement, is expected to keep the pressure on the issue for some days.
The security breach occurred on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. Two individuals—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, 2023.
Meanwhile, in an effort to address the matter, several MPs from opposition parties have given notices in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, seeking a discussion on the recent breach in Parliament security today. Congress Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari has given an Adjournment Motion notice to discuss the Parliament security breach incident. Congress MPs Rajeev Shukla, Ranjeet Ranjan, and DMK MP T Siva have moved a Suspension of Business notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the December 13 incident.