Mann sorry for breach, Speaker assures action

NEW DELHI: Comic-turned law maker Bhagwant Mann stared at “appropriate action” against him after a Facebook video that allegedly compromised Parliament security rocked both Houses on Friday, forcing the Aam Aadmi Party MP to apologise for filming the high-security zone.

“I apologise unconditionally. I will not repeat it in future,” the Sangrur MP said in a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan after facing stringent criticism from fellow parliamentarians in both Houses, which saw repeated adjournments throughout the day.

In the nearly 12-minute video, Mann is seen giving a running commentary as his vehicle crosses multiple security barricades and enters Parliament. “I’ll show you today something you would not have seen earlier,” he is heard saying in the video, which he has since pulled down from his Facebook page.

Mahajan, who summoned Mann and obtained his “unconditional apology”, termed it a “serious issue” and assured protesting members that some action would be taken.

“Koi na koi kaarvaayi karenge (we will take some action),” she said, adding that 13 people had laid down their lives for the security of Parliament, referring to the terror attack of December 13, 2001. Delhi Police said it was considering a case against Mann and officials were seeking legal advice in the case. Though the AAP refused to issue an official statement on the controversy, party spokesperson took to Twitter to accuse the BJP and Congress of playing up issue to divert attention from other issues. “BJP is doing this drama to distract people from the insulting statements against Mayawati ji and the persecution of Dalits in Gujarat. Adityanath, Sakshi Maharaj, Girriraj Singh are the biggest threats to the security of the nation but they will increase the dignity of the Parliament… (sic),” he tweeted. As many as 16 Lok Sabha MPs moved a breach of privilege notice against Mann and three others moved a motion for adjournment of the house to discuss the “misconduct” by the AAP MP. While MPs across party lines demanded action against Mann, ruling alliance MPs especially the Shiromani Akali Dal, were the most vociferous.