Parliament erupted in a major uproar on Friday after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann posted a video clip on a social media site showing Parliament’s internal security positions.
Parliament erupted in a major uproar on Friday after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann posted a video clip on a social media site showing Parliament’s internal security positions. Legislators in both Houses of Parliament sought the first-time MP’s dismissal for compromising the security of the entire complex, especially when 13 persons had been killed in a terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001. The issue led to Lok Sabha proceedings being washed out while the Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice before being adjourned for the day in the afternoon.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who summoned Mr Mann and obtained an “unconditional apology”, termed it a “serious issue” and assured protesting members that some action would be taken.
The AAP MP tendered an unconditional apology to the Speaker after he met Ms Mahajan in her office soon after the House was adjourned at 11.10 am over the brouhaha over the matter, official sources confirmed.
A complaint was also filed against the MP at the Parliament Street police station, though no FIR has been lodged in the matter, sources said.
As the issue rocked both Houses of Parliament, Mr Mann, who represents Sangrur in the Lok Sabha, said he had made the “mistake inadvertently” and that he had no intention of compromising the security of Parliament.
In his apology letter to the Speaker, Mr Mann said, “I did not know that it is against the rules.” Contending that he had no intention of compromising security, he said, “I apologise unconditionally. I will not repeat it in future.”
Initially, though, he is learnt to have defended his action and emphasised he would make a video again. His adamance aggravated the matter with MPs in both Houses seeking strong action against him.
There was trouble in both Houses from the start, with mostly Akali Dal, BJP and Shiv Sena members saying Mr Mann had compromised the security of Parliament by making and uploading on social media the video film which showed the route, his access and protective arrangements. They were joined by members of the Congress and Left parties in demanding action against Mr Mann.
After repeated adjournments in both Houses, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day minutes after noon and the Rajya Sabha at around 2.40 pm.
In the nearly 12-minute video, Mr Mann is seen giving a running commentary as his vehicle crosses security barricades and enters Parliament. “I’ll show you today something you would not have seen earlier,” he is heard saying. Mr Mann then enters a room where questions to be taken up inside Parliament are being sorted and describes the process.
As soon as Lok Sabha met for the day, NDA members raised the issue. As Mr Mann watched, Kirit Somaiya of the BJP demanded his disqualification as an MP while his party colleague, R.K. Singh, a former home secretary, said the AAP member had put a question mark on the security of the sensitive complex. He demanded a breach of privilege motion be brought against Mr Mann.
While NDA members were raising the issue from their benches, RJD and SP members rushed to the Well holding placards demanding quotas to express their anguish over the delay in the passage of a bill on reservation in promotions.
Amid the din, the Speaker adjourned the House till 12 pm. During the adjournment, Mr Mann met her and apologised. When the House met again, Ms Mahajan said the matter was “serious” and under her consideration.
“Koi na koi karvayee karenge (Some action will be taken),” she said, adding that 13 people had laid down their lives for the security of Parliament, referring to the terror attack of December 13, 2001.
As the uproar continued, she adjourned the House for the day. In the Upper House also, ruling BJP members forced an adjournment till noon.
Minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sought action under the National Security Act against the member, saying he had exposed to terrorists the security apparatus inside the Parliament complex.
Opposition Congress and CPI(M) members also slammed Mr Mann’s action and wanted to know what action the government had taken for the “serious security breach”. They questioned what stopped the ruling side from taking action against Mr Mann in the Lok Sabha, where the NDA commands an absolute majority.
Admitting that the matter was very serious, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman P.J. Kurien said the government has to take cognisance of the security violation and take appropriate legal action. If members want a discussion on the issue, an appropriate resolution has to be brought, he said. Shouting slogans, BJP members moved into the aisles, forcing him to adjourn the House till noon.
Opposition members were heard saying that it was unusual that the ruling side itself was disrupting the House.
