Parliament security breach: Opp insists on Shah statement on breach, stalls House proceedings

The tone for the Friday’s protest was set at the meeting of the Opposition INDIA bloc in the morning before the House met. According to sources, DMK leader T R Baalu said that all Opposition members should continue to protest in both Houses and get suspended in solidarity with the 14 MPs who were suspended for the protests.

“We all should continue our protest… and let them suspend all of us. We should not leave them [the suspended MPs] alone,” Baalu was quoted as saying by a source who attended the meeting. He also mentioned the suspension of Trinamool Congress’s Derek O’ Brien – lone Rajya Sabha MP to be suspended.

“The INDIA bloc MPs, including leaders, have decided to take placards to both Houses and get suspended in solidarity with the others,” RSP leader N K Premachandran told The Indian Express.

In a post on X, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “What kind of justice is it to suspend MPs after such a breach in security of Parliament. The Home Minister can give interviews on TV but cannot give statements on the floor of Parliament. INDIA parties demand that Shri Amit Shah should give a statement in Parliament and then it should be discussed in both Houses. It is our duty to raise our voice on this serious issue of national security, it is our parliamentary duty.”

Speaking to reporters, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “Whatever instructions that the Speaker has given after calling the all-party meeting, we are following them in letter and spirit. There is an enquiry going on and the matter is also in the court. Amid all this, saying that we will not let the House run… asking for statement… what is this? This is a very sensitive issue. They should behave responsibly.”

Addressing a press conference, Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh said INDIA parties remain firm on their “legitimate” demand for a statement from Shah followed by a brief discussion. “The government’s stubborn reluctance to come to Parliament and make a statement is the sole reason for the stalemate. I think they want to divert attention from the questions raised by INDIA parties about the role of BJP MP Pratap Simha… the government initially said it was a minor incident… but those who were arrested have been charged with UAPA … that means it is a serious issue… it is linked to national security,” he said.

“Till the Home Minister comes to Parliament and makes a statement… the possibilities of smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament looks bleak,” he said.

Ramesh said the Opposition leaders have conveyed their demand in writing to both Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

In Parliament, Opposition members were seen chanting slogans to demand Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence in Parliament and Shah’s statement. They also sought action against Simha, who facilitated the passes for the two men who jumped off the visitors’ gallery and burst colour canisters in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

At 11 am, when the Lok Sabha met, Opposition MPs held up placards and raised slogans. Rajendra Agrawal, who was chairing the proceedings, adjourned the House in less than a minute till 2 pm. In the afternoon, the House resumed merely to be adjourned for the day.

Rajya Sabha proceedings, too, were disrupted soon after the House met after Chairman Dhankhar did not allow notices for a discussion on the security breach. “I have received 23 notices under rule 267 for suspension of business to discuss the serious situation arising out of breach of security in Parliament on 13 December 2023…, I apprised the facts related to the incident to the House… The investigation in the matter is underway and it shall be taken to a logical conclusion. I am unable to persuade myself to allow the notices so received,” he said.

While adjourning the House, Dhankhar asked the Leader of Opposition, Leader of the House, and floor leaders to meet him in his chamber. This led to a din in the House. When a member urged that the Leader of Opposition be allowed to speak, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said they must first answer questions on the law and order situation in opposition-ruled Karnataka.

The Opposition leaders skipped the meeting with Dhankhar.

As soon as the Rajya Sabha convened at 2 pm, Dhankhar stood up to admonish the Opposition MPs for the protest and sloganeering. Soon after, he adjourned the House until 11 am Monday.

Earlier in the day, the Opposition MPs who were suspended on Thursday held a silent protest near Gandhi statue in Parliament House Complex.

With ENS, New Delhi