Parliament adjourned till Monday after uproar over Bhagwant Mann’s Parliament video
NEW DELHI: A video of Parliament live-streamed on Facebook by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann united political parties across the spectrum today in strong condemnation and calls for action against what everyone called a massive security breach.
Lawmakers from the government as well as the opposition referred to the 2001 terror attack in Parliament as they demanded that the AAP MP from Punjab, a popular stand-up comedian, be penalized for streaming on social media the video showing various layers of screening and checks.Mr Mann has now furnished an unconditional apology. “I did it unknowingly. I didn’t know it will become such a big thing,” he said.
Aggressive demands forced repeated disruptions in both houses; the Lok Sabha ended the day early without any business.”A committee will be formed, an apology is not enough as all party members are upset,” said Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who summoned Mr Mann.She added that she was also looking into complaints on the AAP MP’s “drinking issue.”
In the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi accused Mr Mann of a “conspiracy to compromise the security of Parliament and reveal details to anti-national elements”.Congress leader Anand Sharma questioned why the government, despite its demands for action against Mr Mann, had not yet made any move or even blocked the video.
In the 12-minute video, Mr Mann, 42, gives a running commentary as his SUV crosses security check-points while entering Parliament. “Today I’ll show you something you have never seen before,” he says.After entering Parliament, the MP walks into a room where questions are elected for Zero Hour and describes the process to his “viewers”.Mr Mann said his intention was to show people who voted for him in Punjab a glimpse of Parliament and its functioning.
Mr Mann is one of the four MPs of Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP in Punjab and the video row has been seized by the Akali Dal-BJP combine, which is sensing a growing challenge from India’s newest party.Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the daughter-in-law of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh, said: “Mann endangered the lives of all parliamentarians, prime minister, vice president and other people too.”
Members cutting across party lines demanded strict action against him. Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarun Kharge said, the whole House should condemn the action of the AAP MP and strict action should be taken against him. BJD members Bhartruhari Mahtab echoed same view saying 13 security persons liad down their lives for the Temple of Democracy in 2001 Parliament attack.
As all the members were shouting against Mr Mann, Speaker sumitra Mahajan said she is looking into the issue before adjourning the House for the day. Yesterday, the AAP MP had recorded video of Parliament premised and uploaded on social media which is being seen as security breach.
There were heated exchanges between opposition and treasury bench members on whether to hold a discussion in the House. The issue was raised by Naresh Gujral of Shiromani Akali Dal, who said there is a serious security threat to Parliament as sensitive places inside the Complex have been posted on social media.
The House, which witnessed three adjournments in the pre-lunch session, reassembled at 2.30 PM, to take up Private Members Business. However, some of the ruling bench members trooped into the well of the House in support of their demand for a discussion. Taking note of the situation, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for the day.
