NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing the Lok Sabha on Thursday, delivered a comprehensive statement on the alarming security breach that unfolded in the Parliament during the Zero Hour on Wednesday. In a moment of gravitas, Singh issued a stern caution to all Members of Parliament (MPs), urging them to exercise vigilance when issuing entry passes, as he addressed the House’s collective responsibility for maintaining security.
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In his address, Minister Singh expressed deep concern over the unfortunate incident, stating, “It was an unfortunate incident. There are no two opinions about it. And you (Speaker) ordered an inquiry into the incident immediately.” The Defence Minister acknowledged the Speaker’s prompt action in ordering an inquiry and ensuring a thorough investigation into the breach that disrupted the proceedings. This is the first statement from the government a day after two men intruded the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour and sprayed yellow gas in a major scare.
FLASH: #LokSabha adjourned till 2 pm as Opposition MPs raise slogans and demand the resignation of Union HM #AmitShah over yesterday’s security breach.
Speaker Om Birla acknowledges concerns, emphasizes the Lok Sabha Secretariat’s responsibility for the House’s security.… pic.twitter.com/yOSTkYeSs0
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 14, 2023
Singh, 72, underscored the urgency of MPs being mindful while issuing passes, emphasising that precautions must be taken to prevent people who could potentially create an anarchic situation within the House. “All MPs — both government and the opposition — should be alert to not issue passes to someone who can create such an anarchic situation in the House,” he asserted.
The Minister of Defence, also drew attention to historical instances of disruptions, stating, “I want to bring this to your (Speaker’s) notice that in our old building too, there were incidents of sloganeering, jumping like this.” In doing so, he sought to highlight that security concerns within the parliamentary precincts were not unprecedented and that collective condemnation of such incidents was crucial.
FLASH: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses #LokSabha on yesterday’s security breach, cautioning MPs against issuing entry passes.
The statement comes a day after two men intruded during the Zero Hour. Government’s first response to the alarming incident.… pic.twitter.com/bygffLGil4
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 14, 2023
Moreover, Singh extended his call for unity in condemning the breach: “So in my opinion, we all should come together to condemn the incident.”
As he concluded his address, the BJP leader reassured the House that precautions were being taken to prevent incidents of this nature in the future. “Precautions are also being taken to prevent incidents like this in the future,” Singh affirmed, offering a glimpse into the government’s commitment to reinforcing privacy measures within the parliamentary complex.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, taking to X, underscored the collective demands of Indian parties, including a comprehensive statement by the Home Minister and discussions on the security breach. Ramesh also insisted on strict action against BJP MP Pratap Simha, accusing him of providing visitor passes to the intruders. The government’s refusal to address these demands led to the adjournment of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sessions.
The INDIA parties are demanding:
1. A detailed statement by the Home Minister in both Houses, followed by a discussion on the very serious and shocking security breach witnessed in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
2. Strict action against the BJP MP Pratap Simha who provided the…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 14, 2023