Parliament Staff Advised Against Taking Photos or Videos Inside House Complex

New Delhi: Parliament House staff members have received a stern warning against engaging in photography and video recording activities within the complex, citing security concerns. The acting joint secretary (security) of Parliament House issued a circular on January 19, emphasizing the repeated violation of protocols by some officials.

Highlighting the Parliament Complex as one of the most threatened locations in India, the circular stressed the prohibition of photography and video shooting as a crucial component of its strategic security measures. The use of cameras, spy cameras, and smartphones was identified as a direct threat to the safety and security of the complex.

All officers and staff associated with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and other related agencies working in the Parliament House Estate were explicitly informed that any form of photography inside the complex is strictly forbidden. Even officials or visitors permitted with mobile phones or smartphones were cautioned against capturing images within the Parliament House Complex.

The circular emphasized that safeguarding the Parliament, parliamentarians, high dignitaries, and staff remains the top priority of the Parliament Security Service. This directive comes just ahead of the Budget session scheduled to commence on January 31 and follows an incident over a month ago when two individuals breached security, entered the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery, and released yellow-coloured smoke canisters. MPs successfully subdued the intruders in that instance.