Parliament security lapse a serious matter, end squabbling, Modi tells Oppn parties

New Delhi: Days after two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated and called for the end of squabbling over the issue amid Opposition's protests.

In an interview with a Hindi daily, the Prime Minister said that the Supreme Court's verdict on Article 370 has put its stamp on the abrogation of Article 370.

He added: "No power in the universe can bring it back."

During the interview, the Prime Minister described the Parliament security breach as "painful and a matter of concern". He said that the probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of the people behind it and their motives.

"Efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue. The gravity of the incident that happened in Parliament should not be underestimated,” he said, adding that the Speaker has also been taking the necessary steps with all seriousness.

On December 13, two persons from the visitors' gallery jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber while the House was in session. Calling it a serious breach, the Opposition parties have been demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Some members have also sought Mr Shah's resignation.

On its part, the government has been insisting that the security in the Parliament complex is the responsibility of the Lok Sabha secretariat and it has been following the Speaker's directives. It has also cited numerous such violations in the past, accusing the Opposition of politicising the issue.

To a question about the BJP picking relatively new and little-known leaders as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, Mr Modi said that the leaders have lots of experience and hard work behind them.

Taking a jibe at those questioning the BJP's choices, Mr. Modi said that it has been the country's misfortune that a large section of people who influence society are bound to a trite and narrow mindset.

"This is not confined to only the political field. This nature troubles us in every field. If, in any field, some name becomes big with some branding, then others do not get attention, irrespective of their talent and hard work. A similar thing happens in politics," he said.

The Prime Minister stated that the media, for some decades, has unfortunately been focusing on a few families. As a result, the talent and usefulness of new people are not being discussed.

"That is why you often see some people as new. But the truth is that they are not new. They have done the hard work and have their own experience," he said.

The BJP leadership has picked Vishnu Deo Sai, Mohan Yadav, and Bhajan Lal Sharma as chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, respectively, ignoring the claims of former chief ministers Raman Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Vasundhara Raje.

Citing the BJP's stupendous show in the recent Assembly polls, Mr Modi said that it has shown that the party is set to score a historic win again in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He said the Opposition parties should introspect why people do not trust their claims.