New Delhi [India], December 19: Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Pralhad Joshi visited BJP MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput at RML Hospital on Thursday after they were injured in a scuffle with INDIA Alliance MPs outside Makar Dwar in Parliament.
The clash occurred as both BJP and opposition MPs staged parallel protests following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial remarks on BR Ambedkar. Following the visit, Chouhan criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his party for their alleged role in the confrontation, calling it a “black day” in Parliamentary history.
Speaking to reporters, Chouhan condemned the incident, saying, “Decorum has been torn apart. Democracy has been shredded and sullied. There is no other example of such hooliganism from Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. Such conduct has never been seen in the history of Indian Parliament.”
Chouhan suggested that a workshop should be held to educate Congress leaders on parliamentary conduct. He also expressed disappointment, stating, “Amit Shah’s speech exposed Congress. They are so frustrated that they have resorted to hooliganism. We strongly condemn this behavior.”
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the BJP would take action against Congress MPs based on hospital reports. “Two leaders are injured, and others have complained about this incident. We will take action once we receive the report from the hospital,” he said. Meghwal also accused Congress of having a history of disrespecting Ambedkar.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also condemned the alleged assault by Congress MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, claiming that BJP MPs Sarangi and Rajput were physically assaulted. Rijiju demanded an apology from Gandhi, stating, “Rahul Gandhi’s physical attack on MPs is condemnable.”
In his account, Pratap Chandra Sarangi alleged that Rahul Gandhi had pushed another MP, causing him to fall and injure himself. “Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who then fell on me, causing my injury,” Sarangi claimed.
Rahul Gandhi, however, denied the accusations, stating that BJP MPs were blocking his entry into Parliament and pushing him. “BJP MPs tried to stop me and push me. We were not affected by the jostling. This is the entrance, and we have the right to enter,” Gandhi explained.
He also emphasized the central issue of the ongoing protests, saying, “The BJP is attacking the Constitution and insulting the memory of Babasaheb Ambedkar.”
The incident occurred amidst ongoing protests by BJP MPs accusing Congress of disrespecting Ambedkar’s legacy. Meanwhile, INDIA Alliance MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, held their own protests demanding Amit Shah’s resignation over his comments on Ambedkar.