LOP Kharge writes letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar, demands Shah’s statement
New Delhi: Congress national president and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday wrote a letter to Upper House Speaker Jagdeep Dhankhar on the major security breach in the new Parliament complex.
Leader of the opposition in the Upper House, Vice President Dhankhar, in his letter described the breach in the security of Parliament as a serious matter and demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah give a statement on the issue, after which a discussion should be held under Rule 267.
“The breach of Parliament security that took place in the Lok Sabha Chamber and Parliament Complex on 13 December 2023 is a very serious matter unparalleled in recent times. Considering the seriousness of the matter, I am consulting with the floor leaders of Indian parties. “Parliament is of the view that this matter is of such importance that it should be raised under Rule 267 of the Rules and Procedure of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha),” Kharge wrote in his letter.
“Furthermore, unless the Home Minister makes a statement on the matter and thereafter a discussion takes place under Rule 267, there is no point in transacting any other business in the House or even holding any meeting to “resolve this matter”. There is no opportunity. In other ways,” he said.
Earlier in the day, opposition leaders met in the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the Parliament security breach. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the opposition members had raised concerns about security in both the Houses. Decided to take up the violation strongly.
“Proper security arrangements should have been made before the members were shifted to the new Parliament building. Despite such a huge security breach, neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister has made any statement. There should be discussion on this. There was a catastrophic intelligence failure. PM Modi and Amit Shah could have informed our MP (about the steps being taken in view of the violations). “He grabbed a box,” Chaudhary said.
The Congress MP said, “If they cannot secure members in Parliament, how can they assure the security of the country? We have also been raising the issue of unemployment.”
Meanwhile, police on Thursday said a case has been registered against the accused under several relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the Parliament security breach.
According to police sources, the absconding accused in the case, identified as Lalit Jha, sent a video clip of the violation to his NGO partner after committing the act.
So far four people have been arrested in the case. Police said that two more people, who have been identified as Vicky and his wife, are being interrogated. Sources said that the sixth accused Lalit Jha is absconding.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had ordered an inquiry into the security breach.
The Home Ministry said, “On the request of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the Home Ministry has ordered an investigation into the incident of breach of Parliament security. “An investigation committee has been constituted under CRPF Director General Anish Dayal Singh, which includes members from other security agencies and experts.” In his statement.
In an incident that occurred on the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attack on Parliament in 2001, two unidentified persons jumped from the audience gallery onto the floor of the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour and blew smoke while raising slogans.
In the viral video the intruders were seen jumping from one desk to another before eventually being subdued by some MPs.
