(Source: ANI/Twitter) (Source: ANI/Twitter)

WITH most political parties, particularly from the treasury benches, turning the heat on AAP’s Bhagwant Mann for posting a video on social media of the interiors of Parliament, sparking security concerns, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan is planning to constitute a committee to consider action to be taken against the Sangrur MP.

The issue led to a disruption of proceedings in both Houses despite Mann submitting a letter of apology to Mahajan after being summoned to the Speaker’s chamber to explain his actions.

“We will take some action,” Mahajan told the Lok Sabha, after observing that the matter was “serious”, more so because 13 security personnel had laid down their lives to ensure the security of Parliament during the 2001 terror attack.

But since it was a matter relating to the Parliament House complex, said Mahajan, she would consult political parties for “appropriate action”.

But MPs from the BJP and SAD stepped up their attack on Mann, who represents a party that has emerged as a threat to their hopes in the Punjab assembly elections next year, with BJP MPs Kirit Somaiya and Maheish Girri, and SAD’s Prem Singh Chandumajra moving a privilege notice against Mann.

The Speaker had earlier summoned Mann to her chamber at 11.10 am for a 20-minute meeting during which the MP submitted his apology. He maintained that his intention was only to show people how a zero-hour notice was submitted and how balloting took place.

“I apologised unconditionally. I also assured that this won’t be repeated. I told her that… my intention was not to risk the security of Parliament,” said Mann.

Watch Video: What’s making news

“When he (Bhagwant Mann) met me, he said he is ready to apologise, but this issue isn’t something that can be resolved by a mere apology. All Parliament members are agitated, the issue won’t be resolved by a simple apology. It’s a matter of security of the Parliament,” said Mahajan.

Mahajan also said that she was looking into complaints that the AAP MP’s “drinking issue” — Mann had previously denied the charges.

The Speaker later held consultations with Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai and other leaders for suggestions on the possible course of action.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha was adjourned twice over the issue, with the treasury and opposition benches storming the well of the House demanding a motion of privilege against Mann and his suspension. Members across political parties invoked the 2001 Parliament attack to describe Mann’s actions as a breach of security.

Question Hour was adjourned after barely 10 minutes as all parties sought “immediate action” against Mann. Although Speaker Mahajan said she would allow members to speak during Zero Hour, the House did not relent and had to be adjourned. The House resumed at 12 pm, but could not function again because of further uproar over the issue — the Speaker finally adjourned the House till Monday.

BJP MP Kirit Somaiyya said, “Mann has played with the security of the Parliament. His membership should be revoked.”

BJD MP Bhatruhari Mahtab said, “During the 2001 Parliament attack, the terrorists were stopped at the gates because they were not aware of the topography inside the Parliament premises. Mann has exposed that. This is not ignorance or foolishness. It’s also not a matter of ethics or privilege. A separate committee must be formed to investigate this.”

Opinion | AAP’s Bhagwant Mann is in trouble, and rightly so

Former home secretary and BJP MP R K Singh said Mann should be suspended as he had vowed to do it again and that would compromise the security of Parliament.

The Congress, too, condemned the incident, with the party’s leader in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge, saying that it was a question of the security of the country and that the House should unite to condemn it.

Mann sat quietly through the uproar with a solemn look on his face. He later told mediapersons, “I did it unknowingly. I didn’t know it will become such a big thing.” He also said his intention was to show the proceedings inside the House and how questions were selected through a lucky draw.

Mann had on Thursday shot a video clip of his journey from home to Parliament House, passing various security checkpoints, live-streaming it on Facebook.

In the video, Mann is heard providing a running commentary of his journey. “I’ll today show you something you would not have seen earlier,” Mann says at the start of the video.

Inside the Parliament premises, he goes into the room where the process of selection of questions for the Zero Hour is done. As he describes the process, a security official is heard telling him not to take photographs. “I’ll not take a photo… will maintain confidentiality,” Mann replies.

In the video, he says the process is entirely transparent and shows how the lucky draw is carried out to select questions. At one point, he is also heard saying, “It is going live.”

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.