A heated confrontation at the Indian Parliament on Thursday led to the Delhi Police registering an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The incident unfolded amidst competing protests by BJP and INDIA bloc MPs over remarks related to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, escalating into physical altercations on the Parliament premises.
What happened between the rival party MPs? What does the BJP allege?
The conflict reportedly began when BJP MPs were protesting at Makar Dwar, one of the entry points to Parliament, over what they described as misinformation by the opposition regarding Ambedkar.
Meanwhile, the Congress leaders were returning to the Parliament via the Makar Dwar after protesting Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian constitution.
According to BJP’s narrative, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, along with other Congress MPs, forcefully intervened, leading to injuries to two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi (Balasore) and Mukesh Rajput (Farrukhabad). The latter MP, 69 years old, was allegedly pushed by Rahul Gandhi himself, according to the ruling party.
BJP leaders said Mr. Sarangi had sustained a head injury requiring stitches, while Mr. Rajput’s injuries necessitated ICU care. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the RML Hospital to inquire about the injured MPs.
Congress refutes the accusations, says Rahul and Kharge were manhandled
In response to the scuffling incident, Congress vehemently denied all the accusations, with Mr. Rahul Gandhi asserting that it was BJP MPs who obstructed and physically pushed him and other opposition members, preventing them from entering the Parliament. The party leaders lodged a complaint at the Parliament Street police station against the BJP MPs.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, ‘I know Rahul, he would not push anyone much less a member of Parliament. It’s simply not in his nature to be rude or nasty to anyone.’
Leaders of the INDIA alliance wrote to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha that three ruling party MPs had manhandled Mr. Rahul Gandhi and urged appropriate action.
Additionally, Congress accused BJP MPs of manhandling their president, Mallikarjun Kharge, during the melee, a claim that has further fueled the political firestorm. Mr. Kharge claimed that the ruling party MPs pushed him, resulting in injuries to his knees.
Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, labeled the BJP’s allegations as a ‘conspiracy’ to divert attention from Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar and other contentious issues like the Adani controversy.
Parliament adjourned
The BJP has condemned what they termed ‘goondaism’ and demanded an apology from Mr. Rahul Gandhi, while Congress has accused the BJP of creating distractions to avoid discussing critical national issues.
The Parliament session was adjourned amid the chaos, with the House set to resume proceedings the following day.