On December 13, at 11 a.m, the proceedings in the Lok Sabha began on a sombre note with Speaker Om Birla recalling the 2001 terror attack on the Indian Parliament. As members stood up in silence to pay tribute to the nine people who lost their lives that day, Birla said, “On this occasion, we reiterate our resolve to confront terrorism firmly. And reaffirm the oath taken to protect the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of our nation.”
About half an hour later, two men — Manoranjan D., 34, an unemployed computer science engineer from Mysuru, Karnataka, and Sagar Sharma, 24, an e-rickshaw driver from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh — entered the premises as “visitors”. As Zero Hour, when matters of urgent public importance are discussed, was drawing to an end and members were packing up their belongings, the two men jumped down from the gallery, startling parliamentarians and catching the security, manned by the Delhi Police, off guard. Manoranjan whipped out a canister and sprayed yellow gas into the air. The incident, which took place on the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attack on the old Parliament building, is the most audacious security breach that Parliament has seen since.
