Today, a startling security breach occurred in the sacred chambers of the Lok Sabha, the Indian Parliament. A scene befitting a political thriller unfolded as two people, purportedly carrying canisters, leaped from the visitors’ gallery, causing chaos throughout the ongoing meeting. Even though the specifics and composition of the canisters are still unknown, the event has brought up grave concerns regarding the safety of the country’s upper House of Lawmakers.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 13, while the Winter Session was in session. The proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm by BJP member Rajendra Agrawal, who was presiding over the meeting.

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Member of Parliament Arvind Sawant claimed that two men leaped into the chamber from the gallery and then moved from bench to bench to advance. “Unidentified, yellow-colored gas that caused burning sensation in the nose” was released by the men, he continued.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress MP, claimed that the men were carrying tear gas canisters. “One person leapt over the benches of the Lok Sabha while another was seen dangling from the public gallery spraying some tear gas when Zero Hour was in progress,” he stated.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay, a TMC MP, also discussed the “awful experience” in the interim. “Anyone could surmise neither their target nor the reason behind their actions. It was a security breach, but we all left the House immediately. With instruments that released smoke, how could they get inside? he stated.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he witnessed two young men release foul-smelling, yellow-colored gas from canisters inside the Parliament gallery. The MPs ran to seize these men. Someone was brandishing some signs. This calls into serious doubt the security of the new Parliament building in another area.”

Interestingly, today, December 13, marks the anniversary of the five-person armed attack on the Parliament in 2001. Two members of the Parliament Security Service, six Delhi Police officers, and a gardener were slain. Security forces killed all of the attackers.

India has accused Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), two militant organizations with bases in Pakistan, of carrying out the attacks in 2001. But the LeT has denied any involvement.