Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sangrur Member of Parliament Bhagwant Mann on Friday tendered an "unconditional apology" to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for uploading a live video of Parliament on Facebook after the leaders of various political parties raised this issue in the House demanding a breach of privilege motion against him.
Talking to reporters outside the Parliament, Mann, who yesterday said that he would upload another live video again tomorrow, said, "I have tendered my 'unconditional apology' to Madam Speaker in a letter, which I have submitted to the notice room."
Pleading innocence, Mann said, "My aim was not at all to put the Parliament in danger. I just wanted to inform the people about the procedures involved in raising a question in the Parliament. But when the BJP and Akali Dal leaders raised this issue in the Parliament and demanded from the Speaker to sack me, I met Madam Speaker and urged her to give me an opportunity to put forward my opinion."
Divulging details of the "letter of apology", the AAP MP said, "I stated in the letter that when I entered the Parliament for submitting a question for 'Zero Hour', I inadvertently made a video for which I tender my 'unconditional apology'."
Responding to a poser as to how could he say that he made and uploaded the video inadvertently when he himself said that he would do it again, Mann parried questions from reporters, saying he had offered an unconditional apology.
"I too respect the biggest temple of the Indian democracy (Parliament), and I would take care that such mistakes are not repeated in the future," he said.
The Sangrur MP attempted to highlight the recent atrocities against Dalit in Una, Gujarat, to silence his critics while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of blowing things out of proportion.
Also Read
"The BJP has blown things out of proportion. Instead of raising concerns over the security of Parliament, the BJP should take care of the security of Dalits," he said.
When asked about the complaints that he very often participated in the parliamentary proceedings in an inebriated condition, Mann said, "I am ready for an inquiry. I have urged Madam Speaker that if she forms a committee, I will appear before it to put forward my opinion."
There was uproar in the Parliament early today with all major parties - the BJP, the Akali Dal, the Congress and others - going hammer and tongs at the AAP MP for his act of shooting a video clip of Parliament House and later uploading it on social media.
Both the Houses were later adjourned over the issue.
Cutting across party lines, the members demanded strict action against Mann.
Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarun Kharge, said the House should unitedly condemn the AAP MP's action, adding that strict action should be taken against him.
BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab echoed similar views, saying 13 security persons laid down their lives for the Temple of Democracy in the 2001 Parliament attack.
Yesterday, the AAP MP had recorded video of the Parliament premises and uploaded the same on social media which is being seen as security breach.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice in the pre-lunch session over the issue of Parliament security breach. The Rajya Sabha witnessed heated exchanges between the opposition and treasury bench members on whether to hold a discussion in the House.
In the post lunch session also, the scene in the House was no different following which Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien adjourned the House for the day.