AAP MP Bhagwant Mann faces police action over Parliament video

An FIR was registered against Aam Aadami Party leader Bhagwant Mann on Friday at Parliament Street Police station in New Delhi after he posted a video of Parliament’s security pickets on social media on Thursday. Parliament is one of the most secured buildings in India as it has been site of a terrorist attack in 2001. 

The lone AAP parliamentarian came under heavy criticism on Thursday for taking his social media followers on a live tour of Parliament, passing through internal security system and finally ending in question hour. Mann however defended his actions arguing that he was just showing people how parliament works. 

“Is it illegal, inappropriate to post a video which shows procedure of how questions are taken up in Parliament during question hour,” Bhagwant Mann had said.

He also asked if his video pose a security threat to Parliament. “Kya meri video se sansad khatre mein aa gyi. (Did my video pose a security threat to Parliament),” asked the AAP MP. “I will post a video again tomorrow. Let me be served a notice.”

AAP MP’s action was condemned by leaders from all political parties, who saw the video as a serious security threat to the constitutional facility. 

Mann later apologised to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Friday afternoon, but the Speaker said "this issue isn't something that can be resolved by a mere apology”. 

"All Parliament members are agitated, issue won't be resolved by a simple apology. It's a matter of security of the Parliament," Mahajan said. "Action should be taken, (I) would have taken a prompt decision if it (the filming) had been inside the house," she added.The LS Speaker also said she's talking to several people about what action can be taken against Mann.