MAJOR SECURITY BREACH IN LOK SABHA, 2 INTRUDERS RELEASE SMOKE

In a major security breach on the anniversary of the deadly 2001 Parliament terror attack, two persons on Wednesday jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery, shouted slogans and released yellow smoke from canisters that triggered panic and chaos in the House.

Around the same time, two others, including a woman, raised slogans and released yellow smoke from canisters outside the Parliament premises, prompting the police to get into action and round up the duo.

The Ministry of Home Affairs ordered a probe into the incident following a request from the Lok Sabha Secretariat, officials said.

Police sources said the security breach was a 'well-planned and well-coordinated' incident carried out by six people, all of whom were in contact with each other over social media platforms.

The incident in the Lok Sabha chamber took place at around 1:01 pm. While one started crossing the benches in a bid to approach the Speaker's chair, the other was seen dangling from the railing of the visitor's gallery before jumping into the chamber, according to several MPs present in the House. Alarmed members, including Hanuman Beniwal, Malook Nagar and Gurdip Singh Aujla, overpowered and thrashed the intruders, who had come to the gallery with visitor passes facilitated by two-term Lok Sabha member from Mysuru Prathap Simha of BJP, before handing them over to the security personnel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were not in the House as they were away in Bhopal for the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the chair, adjourned the proceedings immediately for one hour.

Opposition members termed the security breach as the worst since the 2001 terror attack in which 14 persons, including five terrorists who stormed Parliament complex, were killed. They also demanded a statement from Home Minister Shah on the breach.

Sharma is a resident of Lucknow, Manoranjan hails from Mysuru, Shinde from Latur and Neelam from Hisar. Police sources said all four were staying together at a Gurugram house and they had two more accomplices.

After opening the gas canisters that emitted the smoke outside the Parliament building, Shinde and Neelam also raised slogans such as 'Tanashahi Nahi Chalegi' (dictatorship will not be allowed), 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Jai Bheem, Jai Bharat', police officials said.

Facing flak, Simha's office said Parliamentarians generally entertain requests for visitors' gallery passes from members of their constituency to witness Parliamentary proceedings. According to the Parliament rulebook, the MP has to certify that the 'visitor is my relation/personal friend/known to me personally and I take full responsibility for her/him'.

OPPOSITION MPs DEMAND EXPLANATION FROM HOME MINISTER AMIT SHAH

Several opposition MPs on Wednesday demanded an explanation from Home Minister Amit Shah after two visitors jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery and opened canisters that emitted coloured smoke, triggering panic among the members.

At least three of the four people arrested are unemployed, with the families of two saying they were despondent over not getting a job.

Mysuru resident Manoranjan D (33), an engineering graduate who worked in an IT firm, was now helping his father with farming; Amol Shinde (25) from Latur had failed to clear Army recruitment; and Neelam Azad (37) from Jind had unsuccessfully appeared for a trained graduate teacher’s job. The fourth, Sagar Sharma (25) from Lucknow, drove an e-rickshaw.

Several opposition MPs alleged that security arrangements in the new Parliament building is not sufficient and needs to be addressed immediately.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said the home minister should resign as he failed to ensure the safety of Parliament. “Amit Shah should resign immediately. There is no security planning. The gallery is right above us...,” he said. “If Parliament security can be breached this way, how can the country be secure?” he asked. He said the incident could have been more serious and questioned the Union Home Ministry's functioning.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore questioned whether any action would be taken against BJP MP Pratap Simha, drawing attention to the suspension of Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, who lost her seat for a password-related issue, and questioned if there are 'two rules for two different members of Parliament'.

The BJP in turn linked Neelam Azad with the Congress. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said on X, “Meet Neelam Azad, the lady who breached Parliament’s security today. She is an active Congress/I.N.D.I Alliance supporter. She is an andolanjeevi, who has been seen at several protests. Question is who sent them? Why did they pick someone from Mysore to obtain Parliament pass from a BJP MP? Ajmal Kasab also wore a Kalava to mislead people. It is a similar ploy.”

NIJJAR KILLING: TRUDEAU SAYS HIS DECISION TO MAKE ALLEGATIONS IN PUBLIC INTENDED AS 'EXTRA LEVEL OF DETERRENCE'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that his decision to make allegations in public about a possible Indian govt link and the killing of a pro-Khalistan separatist was intended to “put a chill” on them from repeating a similar action.

In a year-end interview with The Canadian Press news agency, Trudeau said the message he delivered in the House of Commons that day was intended as an “extra level of deterrence” to keep Canadians safer.

Trudeau said his public statement came after weeks of “quiet diplomacy” that included raising the allegations with India at the highest levels. “We knew it would be difficult conversations, but we also knew that this was an important moment for India to be demonstrating its leadership on the world stage with the G20,” Trudeau said. “And we felt that we could use that as a constructive opportunity to work together.”

“Too many Canadians were worried that they were vulnerable,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau also said Canada warned India that what it knew would eventually come out and that while Ottawa had managed to keep things “on a diplomatic level” leading up to the G20 summit, it could not control much beyond that.

Trudeau said Canada intends to reveal evidence very much in the fashion the US did when “we reach those points in the investigation.” But he noted that US authorities started their investigation into attempted murder earlier.

AUSTRALIA CAN MANAGE DIFFERENCES WITH INDIA ON SENSITIVE MATTERS: ENVOY

In the backdrop of the US’ allegations of an Indian link to an alleged assassination plot and Canada’s charges relating to the killing of a Sikh separatist, Australia on Wednesday said it has “anxieties” over the matters but said that New Delhi and Canberra are capable of managing “differences” and “sensitive” issues.

Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green said the two sides discuss these issues “sensitively and carefully behind closed doors”.

At an interactive session, hosted by the Asia Society Policy Institute, the newly-appointed envoy said Australia’s engagement with India on these issues is less as a “Five-Eyes” partner and more as a friend of India.

The Five Eyes (FVEY) is an intelligence-sharing alliance comprising Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.

“We discuss these issues sensitively and carefully behind closed doors and I do not propose to go any further today than the statements that my foreign minister and our department made about their anxieties over these matters,” he said. “We are also learning about each other at a deeper level: we’ve had our differences and we’re managing sensitive issues, including the concerns we have about alleged activities on US and Canadian territory,” Green said.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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COP28 SETS TARGET: NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050

At the COP28 summit in Dubai on Wednesday, nearly all delegates agreed on a text that encourages transition from the use of fossil fuels so as to achieve net zero by 2050 to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The agreement marks the first mention of fossil fuels in the history of COPs. It also calls upon the countries to accelerate efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power, besides calling them to reduce emissions from road transport through a range of pathways, including development of infrastructure and rapid deployment of zero emission vehicles.

While the climate summit was scheduled to end on Tuesday, negotiators were meeting to work on a draft agreement. During the wee hours of Wednesday, delegates discussed the latest draft which called the countries to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, “To those who opposed a clear reference to phase out fossil fuels during the COP28 climate conference, I want to say: Whether you like it or not, fossil fuel phase-out is inevitable. Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late.”

GAZA WAR TO CONTINUE "WITH OR WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT": ISRAEL MINISTER

Israel declared on Wednesday its determination to continue its Gaza war "with or without international support", after it came under mounting pressure even from key backer the United States.

The war in Gaza has left Gaza in ruins, killing more than 18,600 people, according to the latest toll from the Hamas-run health ministry, and causing "unparallelled" damage to its roads, schools and hospitals.

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a non-binding resolution for a ceasefire on Tuesday.

But more air strikes hit Gaza and gun battles raged, especially in Gaza City, the biggest urban centre, and Khan Yunis and Rafah in the south.

RUSSIA CELEBRATING US DIVISIONS OVER PROVIDING AID TO UKRAINE: BIDEN

President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that Russia was celebrating American division over providing aid to Ukraine, as Ukrainian President Zelensky hit a wall of resistance from congressional Republicans during a daylong lobbying blitz in Washington.

Speaking from the White House with Zelensky by his side, Biden said failing to support Ukraine would be a gift to Russian President Putin. “Putin is banking on the US failing to deliver for Ukraine. We must, we must, we must prove him wrong,” Biden said.

Republican leaders in Congress have insisted that any aid for Ukraine be paired with tighter security at the southern border, arguing that the migrant crisis had become a threat to national security.

Biden accused Republicans of holding aid to Ukraine “hostage” in exchange for “an extreme Republican partisan agenda on the border.” He cited the comments of Russian broadcasters praising Republicans for refusing to approve the Ukraine assistance.

THE REST

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WHAT HELPED TWO MEN DODGE LAYERS OF SECURITY INSIDE PARLIAMENT HOUSE

Fewer security staff, reduced height of the visitors’ gallery from the House floor in the new Parliament building, an increase in the number of visitors of late, and shoes not being checked — these are among factors that contributed to Wednesday’s Lok Sabha security breach, officials in the Parliament Security Services and Delhi Police said.

It is also learnt that the Delhi Police security wing had conducted a meeting to review security arrangements in and around Parliament. This was after Khalistan separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on December 6, threatened to attack Parliament “on or before December 13”.

A senior police officer confirmed that a meeting was conducted and discussions were held to increase deployment, but said it was not connected to Pannun’s threat. Over the past month, Delhi Police has increased deployment from 250 personnel to 300.

A personnel of the Parliament Security Services — it includes the CRPF and Delhi Police – said that they have been receiving “hundreds of visitors every day”, especially since the new Parliament was inaugurated, while the staff strength is limited.

Another officer said the two men had hidden colour smoke canisters inside their shoes, which aren’t typically checked.

“We have scanners and metal detectors. There’s also frisking done at all points. However, we don’t usually check shoes… Prima facie, the smoke bombs appear to be made of plastic, so the machines didn’t pick them up,” an officer said, adding that the fact that the two men came on an MP’s recommendation also helped them get through the layers of security.

NEW CMs IN MP, CHHATTISGARH TAKE OATH: MOHAN YADAV ORDERS CURBS ON LOUD SPEAKERS, MEAT SALES

Mohan Yadav, the former higher education minister and three time Ujjain MLA, was sworn in as Madhya Pradesh’s 19th Chief Minister on Wednesday, marking the end of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan era in the state.

Yadav was administered oath by Governor Mangubhai C. Patel in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at Bhopal’s Lal Parade Ground.

Hours after assuming charge, Yadav issued an order to ban loudspeakers/DJs at religious gatherings and public places at a volume exceeding the prescribed limits.

The CM said “after the food safety rules, operation of meat and egg shops will be” subject to enforcement of guidelines to ensure public awareness and educate shop owners about the rules to ensure their safety.

In Chhattisgarh, Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sai, 59, during a grand swearing-in ceremony held at the Science College ground in Raipur attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, among other political leaders.

RULING PARTY GETS CLEAN MONEY, OPPN HAS TO RELY ON DIRTY CASH: RAGHURAM RAJAN

Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan says that Centre's electoral bond scheme favours the ruling party in political funding, creating an unbalanced playing field. Rajan is concerned about the anonymity of donors and the potential for govt influence over Opposition funding.

Under the current electoral bond scheme, donors can contribute to political parties without revealing their identities. Rajan has, however, pointed out that this secrecy is superficial as the govt, through the SBI, can find out the sources of Opposition funding.

He raised apprehensions about the govt possibly questioning donors for supporting Opposition parties. Rajan argued that this system results in the ruling party receiving legitimate funds while the Opposition might have to rely on unaccounted cash. He highlighted the imbalance this creates in the electoral process.

“How are elections fought? They are fought with money," Rajan said. While the ruling party gets “clean money" to contest the election, the Opposition has to use “dirty cash", he said. The govt is not creating a “level playing field". “Then, you put ED and CBI to go after those people. This is not a fair election process," he added.

Rajan's comments come amidst controversy involving Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu. Sahu is embroiled in a scandal following the recovery of ₹351 crore linked to him during Income Tax Department raids.

ARMY RESCUES OVER 800 STRANDED TOURISTS IN SIKKIM

Indian Army on Wednesday rescued more than 800 tourists stranded in high altitude areas in eastern Sikkim, officials said. The tourists, including elderly, women and children, had gotten stranded in various areas of eastern Sikkim due to snowfall and inclement weather, they said.

The rescue mission by the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army continued till late evening and all stranded tourists were moved to safer areas and provided with shelter, warm clothing, medical aid and hot meals, the officials said. Soldiers even vacated their barracks to enable the accommodation of the stranded tourists, they added.

MENSTRUAL LEAVE COULD LEAD TO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN: IRANI

Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani told the Rajya Sabha Wednesday that menstrual leave could lead to discrimination against women in the workforce. She was responding to a query on whether the govt is looking into providing a law for menstrual leave.

“Given today women are opting for more and more economic opportunities, I will just put my personal view on this, I am not the officiating ministry. We should not propose issues where women are in some way denied an equal opportunity just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation,” she said.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha had asked whether the govt had taken any measures for making compulsory provisions for employers to grant a certain number of leaves to female employees. Irani added that as a menstruating woman herself, “menstruating and menstrual cycle is not a handicap”. “It is a natural part of a woman’s life journey,” she said.

IPO RUSH AHEAD

More than half a dozen companies will hit the market with their IPOs between now and the end of next week.

The cumulative amount raised from these IPOs is expected to be around Rs 8,000 crore.

Stationery products firm DOMS Industries and home financier India Shelter Finance's IPOs — of Rs 1,200 crore each — got off to a flying start on Wednesday, with the former garnering over six times the subscription and the latter getting 1.5 times subscribed.

Industrial gas manufacturer Inox CVA’s IPO — the largest in the current lot at Rs 1,459 crore — opens on Friday.

Half a dozen other companies, including Muthoot Microfin and Suraj Estate Developers, are lined up for next week.

INDICATORS

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Bitcoin - USD 42,833, Dollar Index 102.38, Brent Crude 74.66, BDI 2551

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 2033 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 6,180 / 5,665, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 77,700

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences. - Dave Meurer

OFF TRACK

A stock analyst and a Wall Street broker went to the racetrack. The broker suggested betting $12,000 on a certain horse. The analyst was skeptical; he had never been to the races before and wanted to understand the rules and look over all the horses before placing a wager.

"You're too cautious and detail-oriented," the broker criticized as he placed his large bet. His horse won and he raked in a bundle of money.

"What's your secret?" the analyst asked.

"It's simple," the broker explained. "I have two kids... ages two and six...so I add their ages together and bet on number nine."

"But two and six is eight, not nine!" protested the analyst.

"See!" the broker replied, "I told you you're too cautious and detail-oriented."