Parliament security breach: 'Hang my son if he is found guilty', says father of accused Manoranjan
Parliament security breach: "If my son is found guilty of wrongdoing, he should face the harshest punishment, even hanging, if necessary," Devaraje Gowda, father of Manoranjan, who has been arrested for the smoke canister attack during the Lok Sabha proceedings, has been reported as saying by a news agency.
However, he emphasised disassociation from any political affiliations and highlighted Manoranjan's educational background, including acknowledgment of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's support in securing an engineering college seat for his son.
In the wake of the incident, a police team led by an ACP-level officer has initiated investigations at Manoranjan's residence in Vijayanagar, Mysuru, seeking relevant information about the accused.
MP Pratap Simha, representing Mysuru-Kodagu, clarified that the passes issued from his office were intended for observing the parliamentary proceedings, distancing his office from any malicious intent.
However, the incident triggered a heated exchange between political parties. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the security lapse, describing it as a grave concern. This led to a contentious exchange between the Congress and the BJP, with Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge accusing the BJP of hypocrisy in their response, questioning their reaction had the passes been issued by the Congress.
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Responding to the criticism, Opposition Leader R Ashoka stressed that Parliament belongs to all citizens and parties, cautioning against politicising the issue.
Home Minister G Parameshwara emphasised the need for vigilance while issuing passes, citing the absence of verification processes.
- With inputs from agencies
