Ambedkar Remark Row: BJP MP Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Pushing Him During Parliament Protest

Chaos unfolded outside the Parliament on Thursday when NDA and INDIA bloc MPs staged separate protests in Parliament over Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr. BR Ambedkar. They came face to face at the Makar Dwar of the Parliament House. Tension escaled when BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had pushed an MP, causing him to fall and injure himself.

"I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi came and pushed an MP, who then fell on me," Sarangi said as he was being wheeled to an ambulance. "That in turn, led to my fall," he added.

In response, Rahul Gandhi defended his actions, stating that he was trying to enter Parliament when BJP MPs, who were countering protests from the INDIA alliance MPs. "BJP MPs were trying to stop me, push me, and threaten me," Gandhi explained. "This happened at the entrance, where we have the right to go in. The central issue here is that they are attacking the Constitution and insulting the memory of Ambedkar," he added.

Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, also reported an assault. In a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Kharge alleged that BJP MPs physically pushed him as he, along with other MPs, approached Parliament's Makar Dwar. "I was physically pushed by BJP MPs, which caused me to lose my balance and fall," Kharge wrote in his letter.


Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, condemned the incident and indicated that legal action would be taken. He also alleged that Rahul Gandhi had physically assaulted two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput. "Which law has given Rahul Gandhi the permission to take the law into his own hands?" Rijiju questioned.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the injuries to BJP MPs Sarangi and Rajput, calling them to inquire about their health.

As the situation continued to unfold, the BJP began reviewing videos of the incident involving Pratap Sarangi to verify the allegations against Rahul Gandhi.

After the incident, Rahul Gandhi approached Sarangi, who was being treated by doctors. This led to a confrontation with BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who accused Gandhi of engaging in rowdyism. "Don’t you feel ashamed? You are engaging in rowdyism," Dubey shouted.

Meanwhile, the Congress shared a video claiming that BJP MPs had blocked Kharge and other opposition leaders from entering the House. "It is clearly visible in this video. BJP MPs are stopping opposition MPs from entering the House with sticks and placards," the Congress statement read. "This is sheer hooliganism, and the BJP's dictatorship in the temple of democracy will not be tolerated," the grand old party added.

In addition, BJP MP from Nagaland, Phangnon Konyak, claimed that Rahul Gandhi made her feel uncomfortable during the protests. "I was holding a peaceful protest outside when Rahul Gandhi came and stood very close to me. He started shouting at me, and it made me uncomfortable. I have already met with the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and asked for my safety," said Konyak.

Thursday's incident unfolded amidst protests from the INDIA alliance MPs, who accused Amit Shah of insulting Dr. Ambedkar in his Rajya Sabha speech on Tuesday. In response, BJP MPs staged counter-protests.​