The Lok Sabha reconvened at its scheduled time at 2 PM following an hour-long disruption caused by a major security breach in the Lower House of Parliament. The House proceedings were disrupted as a man jumped from the visitor’s gallery onto the floor of the House at 1.01 PM. Visuals showed him dodging members and security personnel as he jumped on the seats and tables.

Rajendra Agarwal, who was presiding over the House at the time of the incident, adjourned the Lok Sabha till 2 PM. A second individual, meanwhile, reportedly dangled from the visitor’s gallery and sprayed coloured smoke inside the House. The two were eventually overpowered by the members and security personnel and eventually taken into custody by the Delhi Police.

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

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

As the House reconvened, Opposition members raised the incident that occurred on the day of the Parliament Attack anniversary. “On the same morning (of December 13) in 2001, the old Parliament was attacked. While we agree this attack is not the same as that one, does this not prove that necessary precautions were not taken?” Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress MP and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha said.

The Speaker, however, reassured the House that the two men who breached Parliament’s security had been taken into custody. He further said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the smoke that was sprayed was not dangerous.

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“The incident that happened during Zero House, the Lok Sabha and Delhi Police are investigating and have been given requisite directions regarding the same. However, the smoke, which was the reason for our worry, it has been found in a preliminary investigation that it’s not a matter of concern,” the Speaker said.

The Speaker said that he acknowledged the concerns raised by the MPs and invited them to meet for an open discussion after the proceeding wrapped up for the day. The Speaker assured members that all their suggestions to improve the security arrangements for Parliament will be heard and incorporated.

Look Sabha Adjourned after a spectator jumped into the floor of the house, attempting to move towards the chair. Waiting to see what this could be. #LokSabha #WinterSession #ParliamentWinterSession #Parliament #intruder pic.twitter.com/USojnWBcOb

— Arvind S (@Arvind_924) December 13, 2023

“We are all here to serve the nation. It is our responsibility that the House functions no matter how adverse the situation. The House functioned after that incident (2001 Parliament attack) and the House will function today as well. Nobody can stop Parliament from functioning.

One of the two people who breached the security of the House was identified as Sagar Sharma while the identity of the second individual apprehended inside the Lok Sabha is yet to be disclosed. Two more protesters, identified as Anmol from Latur, Maharashtra, and Neelam from Hisar, Haryana, were detained near Transport Bhavan near Parliament. The duo was also seen raising slogans and carrying canisters that blew out coloured smoke.

The security breach occurred on the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament attacks in 2001 when five militants breached the security of Parliament and entered in a car using fake Home Ministry and Parliament labels on it. At that time, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had been adjourned, but over 100 people were present in the building.

The gunmen were heavily armed with automatic weapons, grenades, and explosives. They were later identified as members of two Pakistan-based militant groups, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The attack resulted in the deaths of six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, and a gardener. All five attackers were also killed during the gunfight. They were identified as Hamza Haider, alias Tufail, Rana, Ranvijay, and Mohammed from JeM.