Sarangi said he sustained a head injury while standing near the stairs when the incident occurred.
New Delhi: Chaos erupted outside Parliament on Thursday as simultaneous protests by the Treasury and Opposition benches led to an alleged scuffle. BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi claimed he was injured after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi purportedly pushed another Member of Parliament, causing the latter to fall on him.
Sarangi said he sustained a head injury while standing near the stairs when the incident occurred. “Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who then fell on me. I lost balance and fell as well,” Sarangi told reporters. Following the incident, he was rushed to a hospital in an ambulance for treatment.
Rahul Gandhi Responds
In his defense, Rahul Gandhi alleged that BJP MPs had attempted to block his entry into Parliament, pushing and threatening him in the process. Speaking to the media, Gandhi also claimed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was manhandled during the commotion.
“I was trying to enter Parliament through the entrance, but BJP MPs were pushing, threatening, and stopping us. Mallikarjun Kharge was also pushed. This might be captured on camera. However, we will not be intimidated by such actions. We have the right to enter Parliament,” said Gandhi.
Gandhi further shifted focus to what he described as the central issue: “The BJP is attacking the Constitution and insulting Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy.”
Protests and Political Exchanges
The scuffle occurred against the backdrop of BJP MPs protesting in Parliament premises, accusing the Congress of disrespecting Babasaheb Ambedkar. Chanting slogans such as, “Babasaheb Ambedkar ji ka apmaan nahi chalega (Insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar will not be tolerated),” BJP leaders held banners asserting Congress’s alleged disregard for Ambedkar’s contributions.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticized the Gandhi family, accusing them of sidelining Ambedkar. “The Congress party has sinned by disrespecting Babasaheb. While members of the Gandhi family accepted Bharat Ratna, they ignored Ambedkar. The Congress should fast and remain silent for 24 hours to repent,” Singh remarked.
INDIA Bloc’s Counter-Protest
Meanwhile, opposition MPs under the INDIA Bloc banner, led by Rahul Gandhi, staged a counter-protest, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Ambedkar. Several opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Raut, Mahua Majhi, and Ram Gopal Yadav, wore blue attire to symbolize their protest.
Tensions escalated after Shah’s remarks in Rajya Sabha targeting the Congress regarding Ambedkar’s legacy. Opposition parties have since been demanding his resignation, further deepening the political rift.
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned earlier on Wednesday as protests on the issue disrupted parliamentary proceedings. The situation has since spiraled into a major political controversy, with Congress leaders accusing the BJP of distorting Ambedkar’s legacy and the BJP countering with allegations of hypocrisy against the Congress.
