Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The ongoing controversy over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr. BR Ambedkar escalated into a heated clash in Parliament on Thursday, with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and BJP MPs accusing each other of physical aggression.
BJP Alleges Attack, Rahul Gandhi Responds
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Rahul Gandhi of injuring two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput, during a scuffle outside the Parliament building. “Under which law does he have the power to physically assault other MPs?” Mr. Rijiju questioned, sarcastically referring to Mr. Gandhi’s black belt in Aikido.
Rahul Gandhi, however, dismissed the allegations, claiming that BJP MPs blocked his entry and shoved him and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. “They pushed me away and threatened me… but we will not be affected by this jostling. This is Parliament, and we have the right to go inside,” Mr. Gandhi told reporters.
BJP MP Pratap Sarangi Injured
Mr. Sarangi, speaking from a wheelchair, claimed he was injured when a fellow MP fell on him after being pushed by Rahul Gandhi. Visuals showed him being transported to a hospital in an ambulance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly spoke to the injured MPs, further fueling the political drama.
Congress Calls for Amit Shah’s Resignation
The clash follows a heated controversy over Amit Shah’s remarks during a Constitution debate. The Home Minister’s comment, “It has become the fashion to say ‘Ambedkar’ repeatedly… If they took God’s name so often, they would have reached heaven,” has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Mr. Shah’s resignation, stating, “If PM Modi has any respect for Babasaheb Ambedkar, he should drop Shah from the Cabinet.” Congress MPs, joined by other opposition leaders, held protests within Parliament premises, holding photographs of Ambedkar.
BJP Defends Amit Shah
In response, Mr. Shah accused the Congress of distorting his remarks and highlighted what he called the party’s historical disrespect for Dr. Ambedkar. Prime Minister Modi also defended his Home Minister, stating on X, “The Congress and its rotten ecosystem think malicious lies can hide their misdeeds… they are gravely mistaken!”
Privilege Motions Filed Against Amit Shah
The Congress and Trinamool Congress have moved privilege motions against Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha, intensifying the political standoff.
The ongoing row has further polarized Parliament, with the opposition and the ruling party locked in a battle of allegations and counter-allegations over Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy and Amit Shah’s contentious remarks.
