Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Indian MPs suspended over calls for parliament security breach debate

Six people were arrested after the protest last Wednesday (13), when a man jumped onto the floor of the lower house of parliament from an overhead visitors' gallery

Indian MPs suspended over calls for parliament security breach debate

NEARLY 100 opposition MPs were temporarily barred from India’s parliament for demanding a debate into last week’s protest when a smoke canister was released in the legislature.

The 92 suspended MPs include opposition leaders in both houses of parliament.


Six people were arrested after the protest last Wednesday (13), when a man jumped onto the floor of the lower house of parliament from an overhead visitors’ gallery.

Official footage from the session showed another man shouting slogans and vaulting over tables between stunned MPs before a device was set off that caused yellow smoke to billow into the chamber.

The motives of the pair and how they managed to evade security checks were unclear, with police in New Delhi yet to release any details on the incident.

One MP estimated around 150 lawmakers were in the chamber at the time. Parliament resumed after a brief adjournment, with speaker Om Birla telling MPs that four people were arrested for the disruption.

“Both persons have been arrested and two others outside have also been arrested,” he said last week.

Birla said the parliament was “carrying out a thorough probe and the Delhi police too had been given necessary directions”.

He added that “there was nothing to worry about” and assured lawmakers the smoke was not hazardous to human health.

India’s home ministry is also investigating the breach.

The following day, 14 MPs were barred from the chambers after they demanded home minister Amit Shah give a statement on the incident.

On Monday (18), at least 78 MPs were suspended – 33 from the lower house (Lok Sabha) and 45 from the house of elders (Rajya Sabha).

Prime minister Narendra Modi, in a rare interview to the Dainik Jagran newspaper, called the incident “very serious” and ordered a detailed investigation, but said there was “no need” for a debate.

The leader of the opposition Congress party, Mallikarjun Kharge, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, “First, intruders attacked Parliament. Then Modi Govt attacking Parliament & Democracy.”

He added, “With an opposition-less parliament, the Modi govt can now bulldoze important pending legislations, crush any dissent, without any debate.”

India’s new parliament was inaugurated by Modi earlier this year.

The protest last Wednesday came on the 22nd anniversary of an attack on parliament – then in an older building – when five gunmen shot dead at least eight security personnel and a gardener.

Modi had paid tribute to the victims of that attack earlier last Wednesday.

“Their courage and sacrifice in the face of danger will forever be etched in our nation’s memory,” he said.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less