Parliament security breach on 2001 attack anniversary affront to our democratic values: Kejriwal
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the security breach inside Parliament on the anniversary of the 2001 attack was an "affront to our democratic values".
In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two persons on Wednesday jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery and opened canisters that emitted a yellow-coloured smoke, triggering panic among the MPs. The House was adjourned soon after the incident.
A man and a woman were detained on Wednesday for protesting outside Parliament with cans that emitted a yellowish smoke, police said.
"Today's breach in Parliament, on the solemn anniversary of 2001 attack, is an affront to our democratic values. The security of our temple of democracy cannot be compromised. An urgent investigation is vital to uncover who were the attackers, how did they get in, what were their motives Action must be swift and strict," Kejriwal said in a post on X.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha called the breach "an agonizing echo of that dark day".
"India still remembers the attack on our Parliament in 2001. Today's security breach is an agonizing echo of that dark day, reopening wounds on its anniversary," he said in a post on X.
"This is not just a breach; it's an outright attack on our democracy. An immediate and thorough investigation is needed to swiftly unmask the perpetrators," he added.
He underlined the need to protect the country's democratic institutions, calling Parliament "a sacred symbol" of the nation.
"Our Parliament stands as a sacred symbol of our nation, and if this temple of our democracy isn't secure, then what can be? We must fiercely protect our democratic institutions," he said in the post.
Terrorists of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed outfits attacked the Parliament complex on this day in 2001, killing nine people.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
