New Delhi: The controversial filming of Parliament security by AAP MP Bhagwant Mann rocked both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Friday, with lawmakers, mostly from the ruling NDA, demanding strong action against him and creating uproar which led to a washout of the proceedings.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who summoned Mann and obtained his “unconditional apology”, termed it a “serious issue” and assured protesting members that some action would be taken.
Both Houses saw trouble from the start, with members mostly from NDA constituents Akali Dal, BJP and Shiv Sena, saying 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 Congress and Left parties in demanding action against the Aam Aadmi Party’s Lok Sabha member from Sangrur in Punjab.
The uproar led to repeated adjournments of both Houses before Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day minutes after noon and Rajya Sabha at around 2.40 pm.
In the nearly 12-minute video, 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.
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, terming it as a security breach.
As Mann watched, Kirit Somaiya (BJP) demanded his disqualification as an MP while his party colleague R K Singh, a former Home Secretary, said the AAP member has put a question mark on the security of the sensitive complex. He demanded a breach of privilege motion be brought against Mann.
While NDA members were raising the issue from their benches, RJD and SP members rushed to the Well holding placards over quota, apparently expressing their anguish over delay in passage of a bill on reservation in promotions.
Amid din, the Speaker adjourned the House till 12 pm.
During the adjournment, Mann met her and apologised.
When the House met again, Mahajan said, amid the din, that the matter was “serious” and under her consideration.
“Koi na koi karvayee karenge (we will take some action),” 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 uproar continued, she adjourned the House for the day. (PTI)
