Chaos in Parliament premises
The protests outside Parliament led to a scuffle. The BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA bloc staged simultaneous protests, resulting in a scuffle outside the Parliament complex. Two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput, sustained head injuries and were treated at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Dr. Ajay Shukla, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, described Sarangi’s “deep cut on his forehead” that required stitches, noting his high blood pressure and anxiety. Rajput briefly lost consciousness after his head injury, according to Dr. Shukla.
The BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi pushed Sarangi, causing the injuries. Rahul Gandhi, however, denied the claims, stating that BJP MPs had blocked his way and pushed him.
The BJP claimed Rahul Gandhi pushed Sarangi, leading to the injuries. Gandhi countered, stating, \”I was trying to enter Parliament and the BJP MPs were stopping me, pushing me and threatening me.\” Congress alleged BJP MPs carried sticks and pushed opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who said he “lost my balance and was forced to sit down on ground.” Kharge wrote to the Speaker demanding an inquiry.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the allegations against her brother a conspiracy to protect Shah. She said, “Rahul (Gandhi) was peacefully going inside the Parliament while holding BR Ambedkar’s photograph and chanting the ‘Jai Bhim’ slogan. Who stopped him from going to the Parliament?” “This is a conspiracy hatched to save Amit Shah’s skin,” she added
Rahul Gandhi’s response
Addressing the media, Rahul Gandhi said, “I was trying to enter Parliament when BJP MPs stopped and threatened me. They pushed me, and I saw Sarangi being attended to by BJP members.”Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, claimed BJP MPs acted aggressively. Kharge wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging that he was physically pushed by BJP MPs, resulting in injuries to his knees. “This was not just an attack on me but on the Rajya Sabha LoP and Congress president,” Kharge said.
Allegations from BJP MP Phangnon Konyak
Phangnon Konyak, a BJP MP from Nagaland, filed a complaint against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of inappropriate physical proximity. “He stood so close to me that I felt extremely uncomfortable,” Konyak wrote in her letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
FIRs filed by both parties
Both parties filed police complaints. Congress MPs, including women MPs, lodged a complaint at the Parliament Street Police Station against BJP members. Meanwhile, BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur, filed a counter-complaint against Rahul Gandhi, citing assault and incitement.
“We have filed a complaint under sections including 109 (abetment), 117 (grievous hurt), and 351 (criminal force),” said Thakur.
Press conferences and accusations
In separate press briefings, the Congress accused the BJP of orchestrating the scuffle to divert attention from the Adani controversy and Amit Shah’s remarks. “The BJP’s strategy is to suppress discussions on issues like the Adani case and distract from their anti-Ambedkar stance,” said Rahul Gandhi.
The BJP countered by accusing Rahul Gandhi of “planned violence” and “uncivilised behaviour.” Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “Rahul Gandhi’s actions are unacceptable in a civilised society. He is unfit to hold the position of opposition leader.”
The incident highlights deepening political divisions as both parties continue to trade accusations over respect for BR Ambedkar and parliamentary conduct.
