Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Bhagwant Mann on Thursday filmed a video entering Parliament by crossing several security layers and posted it on social media, inviting attack from MPs across party line, who termed his act as a security breach.
In the video, which went viral, Mann was seen showing entry gate through which MPs enter Parliament House and saying how strong is the security.
“The car is registered with the Lok Sabha. It has a censor, which has the vehicle details. As soon as so you come near the gate, the censor identifies the car and announces the name and number of the car,” Mann says in the video with him crossing several layers of the security.
Justifying the act, Mann said he intended to show people how does the Zero Hour questions are submitted and MPs wanting to raise their issues chosen through a lucky draw.
In Parliament House, while Mann is explaining how the process works, he is also requested by a staff not to film anything.
“Has my video put the Parliament in danger? How is this illegal. I will again make a video and put it. Let the notice come,” a defiant Mann said in response to reporters query whether his act was a security breach or not.
The MPs also demanded that the matter be investigated
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Meenakshi Lekhi demanded that Mann be quizzed by security agencies for his act.
“Has this happened only because stupidity or was done at the behest some irresponsible forces. Bhagwant Mann’s de-briefing should be done by security agencies. The visitors who come to Parliament are not allowed any camera or even a pen drive. Only MPs and some police officers have that privilege. This was done because there should not be any compromise on security, especially after the Parliament faced terror attack,” Lekhi said.
Congress MP P L Puniya said the act was a security breach.
Terming the act as ‘improper’, former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee hoped that the speaker will take timely and appropriate step in this regard.
Janata Dal-United MP K C Tyagi said he was surprised and scarred as the video exposed loopholes of the security.
“I am surprised with the video. The speaker has formed a committee on security of Parliament and it will give its report. But we are scared due to the loopholes. It’s out request with the President, Vice President the speaker and the prime minister to investigate this matter through a high level committee. It could be debated whether he did for seeking publicity or he did to alert the security agencies,” Tyagi said.