On December 13, 2023, which marks the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, a serious security breach occurred in the Lok Sabha. Two individuals entered and released tear gas canisters while shouting slogans, causing chaos in the chamber. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress Leader in the Lok Sabha, mentioned that these individuals emitted gas-like substances, leading to the House’s temporary closure until 2 pm.
There were concerns about the yellow smoke’s potential toxicity from the canisters. Karti Chidambaram, a Congress MP, highlighted the seriousness of the breach, expressing worries about the possibility of the gas being poisonous. The incident involved two young men, estimated to be about 20 years old, who entered from the visitor’s gallery. One of them tried to reach the Speaker’s chair while shouting slogans.
This breach in security has caused significant alarm due to the historical significance of December 13 as the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. Following the incident, the House promptly adjourned, emphasizing the urgent need to address and review security measures to prevent such events in the future.
Today’s parliament #SecurityBreach is deeply concerning, not just because it marks the 22nd anniversary of the #ParliamentAttack, but also due to terrorist #Pannun’s threats.
A thorough inquiry is imperative to investigate the backgrounds & motives of the individuals who… pic.twitter.com/urZiTUvCQM
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) December 13, 2023