All political parties criticised AAP MP Bhagwant Mann for streaming live video of Parliament on Facebook
A video of Parliament live-streamed on Facebook by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann united political parties across the spectrum today in strong condemnation and calls for action against what everyone called a massive security breach.
Lawmakers from the government as well as the opposition referred to the 2001 terror attack in Parliament as they demanded that the AAP MP from Punjab, a popular stand-up comedian, be penalized for streaming on social media the video showing various layers of screening and checks.
Mr Mann has now furnished an unconditional apology. "I did it unknowingly. I didn't know it will become such a big thing," he said. The video has been taken down from his Facebook page.
Aggressive demands forced repeated disruptions in both houses; the Lok Sabha ended the day early without any business.
"A committee will be formed, an apology is not enough as all party members are upset," said Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who summoned Mr Mann.
She added that she was also looking into complaints on the AAP MP's "drinking issue."
In the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi accused Mr Mann of a "conspiracy to compromise the security of Parliament and reveal details to anti-national elements".
In the 12-minute video, Mr Mann, 42, gives a running commentary as his SUV crosses security check-points while entering Parliament. "Today I'll show you something you have never seen before," he says.
After entering Parliament, the MP walks into a room where questions are elected for Zero Hour and describes the process to his "viewers".
Mr Mann said his intention was to show people who voted for him in Punjab a glimpse of Parliament and its functioning.
Mr Mann is one of the four MPs of Arvind Kejriwal's AAP in Punjab and the video row has been seized by the Akali Dal-BJP combine, which is sensing a growing challenge from India's newest party.
Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the daughter-in-law of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh, said: "Mann endangered the lives of all parliamentarians, prime minister, vice president and other people too."