A heated clash in Parliament on Thursday saw the BJP announce plans to file a police case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of injuring two BJP MPs during a protest over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju alleged that Rahul Gandhi used physical force, injuring MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput. Rijiju, in a sharp critique, said, “How can he use force in Parliament? Parliament is not a wrestling arena.”
Rijiju also sarcastically referenced Gandhi’s black belt in Aikido, asking if he had used “karate or kung fu” against fellow MPs. He demanded an apology, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly reached out to the injured MPs, expressing concern.
Rahul Gandhi dismissed the allegations, claiming BJP MPs tried to block his and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s entry into Parliament. Gandhi accused BJP members of shoving and threatening him, asserting, “This might be on your camera.”
MP Pratap Sarangi, seen with head injuries, alleged he was hurt after an unidentified person, reportedly pushed by Gandhi, fell on him. Visuals showed Sarangi being taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
The brawl comes in the wake of Amit Shah’s statement during a debate on the Constitution, where he said, “It has become the fashion to say ‘Ambedkar, Ambedkar…’ If they (opposition) took God’s name so many times, they will get a place in heaven.”
The remark angered opposition parties, with Congress and Samajwadi Party demanding an apology and Shah’s resignation. Congress filed a privilege motion against Shah, and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge called for Prime Minister Modi to remove him from the Cabinet if he “respects Babasaheb Ambedkar.”
Amid growing opposition criticism, PM Modi defended Shah, accusing Congress of distorting history and disrespecting Ambedkar’s legacy. The PM stated on X, “People of India have seen how one dynasty-led party has tried to obliterate Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy.”
As tensions rise, both parties are gearing up for prolonged political and legal battles. With privilege motions and police cases in play, the incident underscores the deepening divide in India over key historical figures and their legacies.
