What happened?

During Parliament's Winter session, two men jumped into the Lok Sabha from the public area, causing chaos by releasing smoke and shouting slogans. Surprisingly, their entry passes were issued by the office of BJP MP Pratap Simha, potentially helping them pass security easily. Additionally, two more individuals were arrested outside Parliament for protesting with coloured smoke. Delhi Police has charged the attackers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, an anti-terror law.

This security breach happened on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. Prior to this, Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had issued a threat, mentioning a potential attack on Parliament "on or before December 13". In response, the House has suspended visitor entry.

Why does it matter?

Safety concerns: The security breach was a well-planned scheme, as the accused checked the security during the Budget session. They knew visitors' shoes weren't checked and got their shoe soles modified to hide smoke canisters. They even posted a "Missing" poster of PM Modi on social media. Sources say the gallery they jumped from into the Lok Sabha is lower than the old Parliament's, causing an increased risk.

Parliament Security has been burdened with increased visitors since the new Parliament's inauguration but with limited staff. So, Delhi Police raised deployment from 250 to 300 personnel last month. However, on the breach day, only 176 officers were present.

"The Parliament building is supposed to be the safest building in our country. But if it is unsafe, what can we say about the rest of the country? Is India safe?" Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has questioned.

Disruption of Parliamentary proceedings: High drama unfolded in both houses of Parliament a day after the breach, resulting in the suspension of 14 MPs. Opposition members raised slogans and demanded a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Opposition leaders also called for action against Pratap Simha.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi accused some members of politicizing the issue, emphasizing the need to avoid politics on such serious matters. Notably, under the BJP-led Government, the number of suspensions in Parliament has nearly doubled.

Rising unemployment: Families of the suspect highlighted their struggle to find employment. One accused, Manoranjan, told the police they aimed to grab the Prime Minister's attention to address issues like inflation and poverty.

While recognizing that the methods of the protesting youth were wrong, a Khap panchayat in Haryana supported the issues they raised. According to them, the invoked anti-terrorism law is very harsh. They urged the media to question the Government on unemployment and the demands of farmers and small traders. The Panchayat noted that even students with professional degrees are applying for low-level government jobs due to job scarcity.

What's next?

A Parliament spokesperson revealed that eight security personnel were suspended over this incident. Meetings were conducted to enhance security protocols and address weaknesses, leading to essential changes. Consequently, one gate will be exclusively designated for MPs, ensuring their separation from the general crowd.

Dose of Positivity

Humanity knows no Borders

Pakistani teenager Afsheen Gul had a rare condition – her neck was stuck at a 90-degree angle due to an accident when she was just ten months old. This issue made it difficult for her to attend school or make friends.

In 2023, a turning point came when an Indian doctor took notice of Afsheen's case. She was diagnosed with atlanto-axial rotatory dislocation, a condition where the spine twists- the first case of its kind in the world. Without treatment, Afsheen might not have lived much longer.

Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan, a specialist in spinal surgeries based in Delhi, generously offered to perform the surgeries free of charge. Afsheen's brother mentioned they had talked to many doctors, but none were as "sensitive and kind" as Dr. Krishnan. "For us, he is an angel."

Bonus section

The ‘magic’ of humour in the workplace 

According to the Bell Leadership Institute, a strong work ethic and a good sense of humour top the list.

A Stanford video points out that adults at work are in a "laughter drought." Where babies laugh about 400 times a day, adults over 35 only manage about 15 laughs! Not surprisingly, Gallup's data shows we're way funnier on weekends than on weekdays.

A positive sense of humour makes people think you're friendly and trustworthy. Studies suggest throwing in a light-hearted touch to a sales pitch, like saying, "My final offer is X, and I’ll throw in my pet dog," can make customers 18% more likely to say yes. Even a Bollywood-style punchline can do the trick sometimes.

And remember, it's okay to laugh at yourself. It shows that you're easy-going. While some may think humour comes naturally, it can be learnt.  Just be careful- keep it friendly, stay away from anything that might hurt someone's feelings, and never use words that could be offensive.

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