In a major security breach in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday around noon, two people, carrying smoke canisters, jumped from the visitors’ gallery and ran into the chamber of the House. They took out gas canisters from their shoes and opened them, which emanated colourful gas in the chamber.

Reacting to breach, several opposition leaders voiced concerns, urging an investigation into the security vulnerabilities within the parliament premises. This incident marked a major security breach in the Lok Sabha, coinciding with the anniversary of the Parliament Day attack in 2001.

Expressing distress over the incident, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal conveyed his worry via social media, stating, “The infiltration in the Lok Sabha is extremely troubling, especially on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attacks. I am glad there was no major injury or damage done to anyone. Parliament is among the most high-security buildings of our country. Such a major security lapse is unacceptable.”

The infiltration in the Lok Sabha is extremely troubling, especially on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attacks. I am glad there was no major injury or damage done to anyone.Parliament is among the most high-security buildings of our country. Such a major security lapse…

— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) December 13, 2023

“We demand answers from the Home Ministry and there must be a thorough review of the security arrangements in the new Parliament building,” further read the post.

Also Read:Security breach in Lok Sabha on Parliament attack anniversary, 2 held | WATCH Video

Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said he had managed to snatch an object from one of the intruders, stating “…He had something in his hand which was emitting yellow-coloured smoke. I snatched it away and continued throwing it outside…This is a major security breach” Aujla said.

#WATCH | Security breach in Lok Sabha | Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, who caught hold of the two men who jumped down the visitors’ gallery into the House, narrates the incident. He says, “…He had something in his hand which was emitting yellow-coloured smoke. I snatched it… pic.twitter.com/0hKzFrFrwR

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023

MP Danish Ali highlighted the accused’s alleged ties to BJP MP Pratap Simha, denoting the individual as a guest of the BJP MP. On social media platform X, Ali underscored the breach’s potential jeopardy to MPs’ lives and raised concerns about the exposed security vulnerabilities.

In a chilling reminder to the Parliament attack 21 years back on the same day (Dec 13), a man jumped from visitors’ gallery into Lok Sabha MPs area. The breach could’ve put lives of MPs in danger. It has exposed chinks in the 56inch armour. The man was a guest of @BJP4India MP. pic.twitter.com/qhPX4C4Dia

— Kunwar Danish Ali (@KDanishAli) December 13, 2023

Also Read:Parliament breach: New video shows MPs thrashing intruder who invaded Lok Sabha | WATCH

“In a chilling reminder to the Parliament attack 21 years back on the same day (Dec 13), a man jumped from visitors’ gallery into Lok Sabha MPs area. The breach could’ve put lives of MPs in danger. It has exposed chinks in the 56-inch armour,” he wrote.

Recalling the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament, AAP leader, Raghav Chadha stated it was an “attack on democracy”. He questioned how someone could reach the visitors’ gallery of the Lok Sabha and carry gas or smoke canisters, noting the stringent security measures involved. He further questioned whose Parliament MP’s signature allowed the entry and asked if there would be a probe or an FIR against him.

VIDEO | Parliament security breach: “I won’t call this an ordinary security breach, I would say that this is an attack on the Indian democracy,” says AAP Rajya Sabha MP @raghav_chadha. pic.twitter.com/ibA09yeONx

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2023

Reacting to the incident, BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal, who was presiding over the Speaker’s Chair during the breach, admitted a security loophole. He assured that appropriate actions would be taken by the Speaker and relevant authorities. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was also present in the House at the time of the incident.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed the detention of the intruders and the seizure of their materials. He mentioned the arrest of two others outside Parliament by the Police. The House reconvened after the adjournment, with opposition members pressing for a thorough investigation. Teams from the Delhi Police Special Cell arrived at Parliament to initiate the probe, joined by Delhi Commissioner of Police Sanjay Arora.