Lok Sabha gallery bars entry over metal symbols

Twenty-five Lingayat community religious leaders were not allowed to enter Parliament’s visitors gallery as they refused to remove certain metal adornments on their bodies. They were given passes by some Karnataka MPs to watch the proceedings. The relgious leaders claimed they were “insulted” at being asked to remove “sacred symbols”.

As they reached the visitors gallery, the security personnel asked them to remove metal adornments on their bodies, including shiva lingas in lockets and rudraksha necklaces. Eyebrows were raised at how the visitors managed to get into the Parliament complex without being stopped, with security stepped up in Parliament House after the Pathankot attack.