Parliament security breach: Different profiles, but same intention; know what made these 4 accused commit the crime
PTC Web Desk: Amidst the unprecedented Parliament security breach, the accused involved hail from diverse backgrounds, reflecting varied educational qualifications, age groups, and geographical origins. Despite the surface-level differences among Sagar Sharma, Neelam Azad, Manoranjan D, Amol Shinde, Vicky Sharma, and Lalit Jha, certain underlying connections have emerged. All are associated with a social media group titled the 'Bhagat Singh Fan Club'. Besides, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde faced job rejections, which they expressed frustration over.
The accused explained to the authorities that their breach aimed to highlight issues like unemployment, inflation, and the situation in Manipur, urging these concerns to be discussed in Parliament.
Accused 1: Sagar Sharma
Sagar Sharma ( 27), born in Delhi and residing in Lucknow with his parents and younger sister, was one of the two intruders who leaped from the visitors' gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber on a Wednesday. He was known for citing quotes from freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara on his social media posts. In footage capturing the breach, Sagar Sharma can be observed hurdling over desks, aiming to reach the Speaker's Chair after releasing yellow smoke from a canister concealed in his shoe. MPs subdued him and handed him to security personnel after a scuffle where he was reportedly beaten.
Before his arrival in Delhi on Sunday, Sharma informed his family members that he intended to participate in a protest.
Accused 2: Manoranjan D
Manoranjan D, hailing from Mysuru and holding a Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, was the other individual who possessed a pass to the visitors' gallery and followed Sagar Sharma by leaping into the Lok Sabha chamber. His father, Devaraje Gowda, disapproved of his son's actions and expressed a strong opinion, stating that if Manoranjan had committed any wrongdoing, he should face punishment, even suggesting he should be "hanged."
Gowda emphasised the sanctity of Parliament, describing it as a symbol representing the efforts and contributions of many prominent figures, from Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru. He firmly stated that regardless of being his son, it was unacceptable for anyone to behave disruptively within such a revered institution.
Notably, the passes possessed by both Manoranjan and Sagar Sharma were issued by the office of BJP MP from Mysore, Prathap Simha.
Accused 3: Neelam Azad
Hailing from Hisar in Haryana, Neelam Azad (37) holds an M Phil degree and had also cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET), which is required to get a teaching job. She was The 37-year-old was among the two persons who had deployed canisters filled with red and yellow smoke outside Parliament and shouted slogans denouncing "dictatorship".
Neelam had also participated in the year-long protests by farmers against the three farm laws that were repealed in 2021 as well as a protest demanding legal status to the MSP that was held this year. She was also reportedly part of the protest by wrestlers against the alleged sexual harassment by then Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh earlier this year.
"She is very qualified, but wasn't getting a job. She was so stressed because of this that she often used to say that she should just die as, despite studying so much, she was unable to earn enough for two square meals," her mother, Saraswati, was reported as saying.
Her brother said, "She had completed her BA, MA and M Phil and had cleared NET, but was still unemployed. She moved to Jind six months ago and was preparing for the Secondary Teachers' Eligibility Test," he said.
Accused 4: Amol Shinde
Amol Shinde (25), hailing from a village in Maharashtra's Latur and belonging to the SC community, was involved alongside Neelam Azad in deploying canisters and chanting slogans outside Parliament. Born to farm labourers, Amol faced challenges in clearing police and Army recruitment exams despite making repeated attempts.
His father was reported as saying that on December 9, Amol left home expressing his intention to participate in a police recruitment drive. However, his family remains unaware of his actions within Parliament. Being labourers themselves, they stated their lack of knowledge regarding his activities. They have cooperated with the police, providing information to the best of their knowledge.
Amol Shinde, along with Manoranjan, Sagar Sharma and Neelam, has been arrested and charged under stringent laws, including the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Additionally, charges under sections related to criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, among others under the Indian Penal Code, have been filed against them.
Who provided them shelter?
Vicky Sharma, employed as a driver, and his wife Rekha have been detained for providing shelter to the accused in Gurugram before the breach. Lalit Jha, currently absconding, captured videos of Azad and Shinde's actions and fled with their phones, forwarding one video to an NGO founder for safekeeping and media coverage.
- PTC NEWS
