It was believed that the parliament security apparatus was a bulwark that nobody could break. However, on December 13, 2023, two youths jumped from the visitors’ gallery towards the parliament chambers and unleashed a show of disruption with yellow plumes from smoke canisters engulfing the place. It was sensational for invoking the baleful memories of the 2001 parliament attack, that took place on the same date.

Attacking Parliament is tantamount to treason and it is equal to challenging the country's democratic nous and sovereignty. Police doubt more involvement in the crime. The arrested persons have revealed to the police that they are members of a group called 'Bhagat Singh Club'. The possibility that the group planned attacks at other major locations is not ruled out yet.

Two people were caught and heckled by MPs inside the parliament while two other including a woman was caught after they sprayed coloured smoke and raised slogans outside the parliament. What remains is the possibility of foreign aid in the group’s activities. The police are thus tracking their history and phone records.

In 2001, security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to enter the parliament. 9 security officials were martyred and the incident turned a catalyst for the government to shipshape the security apparatus in the parliament. And even now, while frisking, there is no provision for police to check the inside of footwear. This made the youths carefully stuff smoke canisters between their footwear and then spray them on MPs inside the chambers.

The new parliament building promised a high-technology security apparatus to thwart any such intrusion. However, Wednesday's incident was a reality check and ignited the need for a revamped one. The parliament has now promised to bring body scanners employed with strong censors inside the parliament.

The government should not play down the threats from foreign lands as anyone could have easily carried a poisonous gas in the parliament akin to the smoke canister used by the protesters. In the wake of this incident, it has been decided to close the Visitors' Gallery of Parliament with glass windows. Such mechanisms need to be set up not only in the Parliament but also in the Legislative Assemblies.

Similarly, new restrictions should be introduced in allowing visitors. Security officials often do not exercise the same level of vigilance in the case of visitors as they do in checking journalists with authorized passes who come to report the parliamentary session.

It is a relief that the disruption didn’t escalate into a major scene. The top officials who were in charge of security should be replaced. Steps should be taken to convince the people that such an incident will not happen again. A clarification from the union home ministry regarding the issue is also warranted.