On the 22nd anniversary of a deadly attack on India’s parliament, a major security breach occurred when a man jumped into the lawmakers’ area, shouted slogans, and set off a smoke can. The incident took place in the new, high-security parliament building inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May.
Parliament TV showed a young man jumping from the visitors’ gallery into the lower house lawmakers’ seating area, causing chaos as he climbed over tables and released dense white and yellow smoke from a can in his shoes. He was quickly surrounded by security staff and lawmakers. Four people, including the intruder, were arrested.
Lawmakers described the incident as a major security lapse, with some expressing concerns about potential violence. The intruder reportedly shouted slogans that could not be understood, and there was a sound and smoke during the incident. Prime Minister Modi was not in parliament at the time.
The lower house temporarily halted proceedings but resumed business about an hour later. Speaker Om Birla informed members that investigations revealed the smoke released was “ordinary smoke, just to cause a sensation.” The incident raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures in the high-profile parliament complex, located in the heart of New Delhi’s power center.
In 2001, a deadly attack on the old parliament building in the same complex led to tensions between India and Pakistan. More than a dozen people, including gunmen, were killed, and the incident nearly escalated into war. The current parliament complex has multiple layers of security, including its personnel, paramilitary forces, and Delhi Police.
Following the breach, visitor passes to parliament were temporarily stopped, and a comprehensive security review is underway. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining security at sensitive government installations.
