In the aftermath of the security breach at the Parliament on Wednesday, unprecedented actions have been taken, with 14 Lok Sabha MPs facing suspension and eight police officials held accountable for lapses in security. The incident, where two individuals breached the security by leaping into the Lok Sabha from the audience gallery, has ignited a fierce debate on the state of parliamentary security.
On Thursday, the opposition clamored for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the security arrangements in Parliament. In response, 14 Lok Sabha MPs were suspended for obstructing the session, a move proposed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and approved by a voice vote.
Simultaneously, eight security personnel, responsible for breaches in Parliament’s security, have been suspended. These personnel, deployed for screening visitors and the media, were on deputation from the Delhi Police. The breach has raised questions about the efficacy of the security apparatus, particularly concerning the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) responsible for overall security in the Parliament complex.
The infiltrating youths, responsible for the breach, have been booked under the stringent Anti-Terrorism Act (UAPA). Four of them have been remanded in police custody for seven days. The opposition’s uproar in both Houses reflects the seriousness of the situation, demanding accountability and an explanation from the Home Minister.
In an unusual turn of events, DMK MP S. R. Parthiban, initially included in the list of suspended MPs, was later found to be absent during the incident. Consequently, his suspension was withdrawn upon the realization of the mistake.
As investigations unfold and debates on parliamentary security intensify, the incident underscores the need for a robust and foolproof security framework for one of the country’s most critical institutions.
