Bhagwant Mann filming Parliament raises frightening security risks

On December 13, 2001, Pakistani terrorists entered the Parliament house complex and parked their car near gate number 11. There was an altercation with the vice president's security detail over the parking.

The terrorists reversed their car and in the process ended up hitting the vice president's security escort vehicle. In sheer panic, the five Pakistani terrorists then came hurtling out with guns blazing. In a fierce fire fight that lasted less than an hour, the five terrorists were eventually killed but nine Indians also made the supreme sacrifice of their lives. 

The ease with which Pakistani terrorists faked a ministry of home affairs sticker and entered Parliament in an official looking Ambassador car with a red beacon prompted radical changes in Parliament security arrangement, including ingress and egress of automobiles.

That water tight security, so far kept strictly confidential, now stands exposed. 

Also read: Why Sikhs will accept AAP's apology

In the eye of a storm is first time member of Parliament from Sangrur in Punjab, the comedian turned politician, Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi party (AAP). But nobody is laughing at these antics of his - least of all the brave security personnel who are meant to take the first bullet and protect our honourable law makers. 

Bhagwant Mann took an over-11-minute video on his mobile phone from Vijay Chowk to the Parliament building and inside and posted it on his Facebook page. This video could be a do-it-yourself guide for potential terrorists and parliament attackers.

In his exuberance - described as "sheer stupidity" by some - Bhagwant Mann filmed the first barricade on Vijay Chowk and then the boom barrier at Parliament entrance.

He did not stop there.

He went on to show the sensor on display in his SUV and said how the machine read the card and how the boom barrier automatically went up and the recorded voice spoke out the number of his SUV and the make. As Mann gloats on his mobile camera, the Parliament security personnel respectfully greet him - perhaps unaware how their lives could potentially be at a grave risk by the actions of this very member of Parliament - the man they are paid to protect.

After giving all details of the security in place, Mann then stops at the main portico of the Parliament building - and exposes the security there and walks into one of the rooms.

Members of Parliament cutting across party lines have hit out at Mann's actions which are being criticised as a massive security breach. "A committee will be formed. An apology is not enough. Members of all parties are upset," Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker of Lok Sabha said, issuing summons to the AAP MP. Security personnel are aghast.

"Security of the temple of democracy is sacred. Crores were spent on Parliament's security and the details are a tightly guarded secret. Now on Facebook - he has exposed the entire security detail. We do stand compromised and because of his actions lives of security personnel and law makers could be at risk," a source said. 

"What does a potential terrorist now need to do - watch his coverage - know what the security is like and then plan the attack. We will not let terrorists succeed but look at how security details have unnecessarily been put out," he added.

Also read: Fencing out Pakistan: India’s high-tech bet will boost national security

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, minister of state for parliamentary affairs tweeted this morning:

There is also anger that Mann, instead of feeling apologetic, initially threatened to do it again. However, with several MPs hitting out at him, Mann finally tendered an unconditional apology to the Lok Sabha Speaker and said his intention was not to compromise Parliament security. Sadly, this isn't the only breach that has put Mann in a tight spot.

It has been learnt that Harinder Singh Khalsa, an Aam Aadmi Party MP, has written to Sumitra Mahajan seeking a change in his seating place in the temple of democracy. He has complained that there is smell of alcohol when Mann sits next to him.

Mann, of course, has denied the charge.