A dramatic incident unfolded in the Lok Sabha chamber, when two men breached the security and unleashed a cloud of yellow smoke, leading to panic among Members of Parliament (MPs) and highlighting serious concerns about safety measures within the Indian Parliament. The incident occurred on a day that began with tributes paid to the martyrs of the 2001 Parliament attack, making it one of the most eventful days in the history of the Lok Sabha.

Shortly after 1 pm, a woman MP raised the alarm, screaming about a "poisonous gas attack." Her cries were initially met with skepticism from a Union minister, who dismissed it as mere drama. However, more MPs soon rushed out of the chamber, some anxious and others agitated, confirming the seriousness of the situation.

The two individuals responsible for the breach had been seated in the Lok Sabha's visitors' gallery in the new state-of-the-art Parliament building. At 1.01 pm, they jumped onto the last row of tables and then onto the floor, heading towards the Speaker's chair. They proceeded to pull out canisters wrapped in paper napkins from their sports shoes, releasing yellow smoke that engulfed the House. MPs reacted in various ways, with some stunned into silence and others displaying remarkable agility as they chased after the intruders.

Congress MPs Karti P Chidambaram and Gaurav Gogoi, accompanied by Rahul Gandhi and a few other Opposition MPs, were leaving the chamber when they confirmed the incident. Chidambaram expressed concern about the toxic nature of the gas, estimating that around 100 MPs may have inhaled it. He also highlighted the serious security breach that allowed the intruders to smuggle canisters into Parliament despite the admission process.

As more details emerged, it became apparent that the security lapse had unnerved ruling party MPs. It was revealed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pratap Simha had issued the passes for the visitors, leading to criticism from his party colleagues. Opposition MPs seized the opportunity to question the overall security measures and the gravity of the situation.

The incident caused chaos and confusion within the premises, leading to heightened anxiety for some time. However, after nearly an hour, it became clear that there was no terror attack, causing the initial fears to subside. Opposition MPs used the incident as an opportunity to discuss the security lapse with media personnel outside, exhibiting renewed vigor in the face of recent electoral setbacks.

The Speaker took swift action, ordering the cancellation of all visitor passes and implementing heightened security measures. Nevertheless, the ramifications of this breach are expected to be long-lasting. The incident serves as a reminder of a similar chaotic episode in 2014 when a Congress MP resorted to pepper spray inside the chamber, resulting in stricter regulations regarding items allowed into Parliament for reporters.

The security breach in the Indian Parliament underlines the need for a thorough investigation into the incident, with particular focus on identifying the lapses in the existing safety protocols. The safety of our elected representatives and the integrity of the democratic process must remain paramount, ensuring that such incidents are prevented from recurring in the future.