Tensions flared in Parliament after BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi was injured on Thursday amid a protest over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on BR Ambedkar. The BJP MP claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed another MP, who eventually fell on him, causing the injuries. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Gandhi of assaulting two BJP MPs during the protest, a charge strongly denied by the Congress.
“I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi came and pushed an MP who then fell on me,” Sarangi said. He added that the incident led to him falling as well.
In his defence, Rahul Gandhi said that he was standing near the entrance where the BJP MPs were blocking his way. “They were pushing me and threatening me, trying to push me,” he said.
The Congress MP acknowledged the incident, asserting his right to enter Parliament and accusing BJP MPs of attempting to block his entry.
“This might be on your camera. I was trying to go inside through the Parliament entrance, BJP MPs were trying to stop me, push me and threaten me. So this happened… Yes, this has happened (Mallikarjun Kharge being pushed). But we do not get affected by jostling. But this is the entrance, and we have the right to go in. BJP MPs were trying to stop us from going in… The central issue is that they are attacking the Constitution and insulting the memory of Ambedkar ji,” he said.
This came as Parliament witnessed a high-voltage political drama, with both BJP and INDIA bloc MPs staging protests and attacking each other over Amit Shah’s speech on Ambedkar. Congress claimed that Shah disrespected the father of the Indian Constitution during his address.
PARLIAMENT NOT RAHUL GANDHI’S PERSONAL PROPERTY: KIREN RIJIJU
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, condemned the incident and said appropriate legal actions would be taken. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi had physically assaulted two BJP MPs.
“We protested because the Congress party has always disrespected Dr BR Ambedkar. Rahul Gandhi physically assaulted our MPs, Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Sarangi. Which law has given Rahul Gandhi the permission to take the law into his own hands?,” he said.
Condemning Rahul Gandhi over the incident, Rijiju asked, “How can he use force in Parliament? No NDA MPs indulge in physical actions. Is Rahul Gandhi here to attack MPs of other parties? It’s not Rahul Gandhi’s personal property. Both of our MPs are severely injured”. “Appropriate legal action will be taken,” he added.
Meanwhile, the BJP is reviewing videos related to the MP Pratap Sarangi incident to verify allegations against Rahul Gandhi of pushing the BJP MP. If evidence of Rahul Gandhi pushing the MP is found, the BJP may file an FIR against him, sources told India Today TV.
After the incident came to Rahul Gandhi’s attention, he approached BJP MP Pratap Sarangi, who was being treated by doctors. As Rahul Gandhi moved closer to Sarangi, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey shouted, âDonât you feel ashamed? You are engaging in rowdyism. (Sharam nahi aati hai, Gundagardi karti ho?)”. Some other BJP MPs also confronted Gandhi.
In response, Rahul was seen arguing with the BJP leaders before leaving the scene.
The Congress, meanwhile, shared another video, to back their claim that Mallikarjhun Khargew was blocked by the BJP MPs.
“It is clearly visible in this video. BJP MPs are stopping opposition MPs from entering the House with sticks and placards in their hands. BJP MPs are pushing and shoving Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ji, Priyanka Gandhi ji and other women MPs. This is sheer hooliganism. There is BJP’s dictatorship in the temple of democracy. This will not be tolerated at any cost,” the Congress said.
Ambedkar has become a major point of political confrontation, centred around the parliamentary discussion on the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution. While the Congress accused the BJP of disrespecting Ambedkar and attempting to alter the Constitution, the BJP retaliated with the same allegations against Congress.
