Security Breach in Parliament

• 15 Dec 2023

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, a security breach unfolded in the Lok Sabha after leaders paid tribute to the security personnel martyred during the 2001 Parliament attack.

• The Delhi Police have invoked sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, an anti-terror law, against accused persons, as well as sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to criminal conspiracy, trespass, provoking a riot, and obstructing a public servant in the discharge of functions.
• The accused were carrying visitors' passes issued to them during the attack.

What are the Rules for Parliament Visitors?

• Rule 386 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha governs the "admission, withdrawal, and removal" of visitors (referred to as "strangers" in parliamentary terms) during the sittings of the House.
• Rule 387 grants the Speaker the power to withdraw "strangers" from any part of the House if deemed fit.
• Rule 387A, authorized by the Speaker, empowers a Secretariat officer to remove or take into custody any stranger within House precincts reserved for members.
  • This includes strangers admitted who misbehave, violate Speaker's regulations (under Rule 386), or fail to withdraw when directed under Rule 387 during House sittings.
• Members can apply for visitors' cards only for individuals well-known to them personally.
  • Certification is required, stating, "The above-named visitor is my relative/personal friend/known to me personally, and I take full responsibility for him/her."
  • Cards for admission to visitors’ galleries are ordinarily issued for a single sitting, generally for one hour. These cards are not transferable and are issued subject to the holder observing the conditions endorsed thereon.
• For security reasons, visitors are mandated to carry photo identification along with the certification.
• Similar rules are in force for visitor entry into the Rajya Sabha.
• Members are advised to exercise utmost care, especially when facilitating the entry of individuals introduced by someone personally known to them.
  • Members bear responsibility for any untoward incident or undesirable activity in the galleries resulting from cardholders.

2001 Attack on the Indian Parliament

• The 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament was a terrorist attack that took place on 13th December 2001, when a group of armed militants attacked the Parliament of India in New Delhi.
  • The attackers belonged to the Pakistan-based militant organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
• The attack resulted in the death of security personnel and government officials.
• The attack exposed the vulnerability of India’s parliamentary democracy to external threats and prompted a major overhaul of its security arrangements.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through (2017)

1. Adjournment motion
2. Question hour
3. Supplementary questions

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

• Adjournment motion is introduced in the Parliament to draw attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance. It interrupts the normal business of the House, thereby making it a device of censure against the government. Hence, 1 is correct.
• Question Hour is a tool of “Parliamentary Oversight” over the administration or executive. During Question Hour, the government is answerable for all its acts of omission and commission to the Parliament.
  • There are four types of questions: Starred Questions, Unstarred Questions, Short Notice Question and Question to Private Member. Hence, 2 is correct.
• Under the Starred Question, an oral answer is required from the minister and the members are allowed to ask the supplementary questions. Hence, 3 is correct.
• Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.