Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has intensified the government’s offensive against the Opposition by releasing video footage of the high-voltage protest that took place in the Lok Sabha on February 4, 2026. The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on February 10, shows a group of women Opposition MPs aggressively moving toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vacant chair, leading to what Rijiju described as “degrading behaviour.”
The release of the footage comes as the Lok Sabha Secretariat officially backed Speaker Om Birla’s claim that the threat to the Prime Minister’s safety that day was “real” and “unprecedented.”
The “Siege” Near the PM’s Chair
The video released by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister captures the chaotic moments just before the Prime Minister was scheduled to deliver his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.
- The Footage: Women MPs, including Varsha Gaikwad and Jothimani, are seen crossing over to the Treasury benches, holding a large banner that read: “Jo Uchit Samjho, Wahin Karo” (Do what you think is right)—a sarcastic reference to a controversy involving former Army Chief Gen. MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir.
- Rijiju’s Critique: Rijiju alleged that the Congress “egged on” its women MPs to create a physical blockade. “If we had not stopped all BJP MPs and allowed the women MPs to confront Congress MPs, it would have led to a very ugly scene,” he wrote.
- Restraint Policy: The Minister claimed the BJP leadership gave clear directions to avoid physical confrontation to protect the “sanctity of the Parliament.”
Speaker Om Birla’s Justification
Speaker Om Birla had previously revealed that he personally advised PM Modi to skip his address on February 4 after receiving “concrete information” that an “unexpected act” was being planned near his seat.
- The “Black Spot”: Birla described the incident as a “black spot” in parliamentary history, noting that political differences had never been dragged into the House in such a manner.
- Secretariat Support: On Tuesday, top Lok Sabha sources stated that the Speaker’s advice was a “responsible discharge of duty” and not conjecture, citing that the MPs had used a “threatening tone” in his chamber later that day.
Congress Hits Back: “Act of Fear”
The Congress has rejected all allegations of threatening the PM, labeling the Speaker’s claims as “defamatory” and “dictated by the government.”
- Varsha Gaikwad’s Defense: Reacting to the video, Gaikwad asked, “Is holding a banner wrong? We didn’t go to assault anyone. PM Modi got scared because of a banner.”
- The “Escapism” Charge: LoP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have accused the Prime Minister of seeking “refuge in lies” because he did not have the “guts” to face the House.
- The Trigger: The Opposition maintains the protest was a response to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey being allowed to make “slanderous allegations” against former Prime Ministers while Rahul Gandhi’s mic was allegedly switched off.
Timeline of the “Black Spot” Row
| Date | Event |
| Feb 4 | Women MPs protest near PM’s chair; House adjourned; PM’s speech cancelled. |
| Feb 5 | Speaker Birla tells the House he advised the PM to stay away for safety. |
| Feb 9 | Congress women MPs write to Birla, calling his claims “false and baseless.” |
| Feb 10 | Kiren Rijiju releases video; BJP women MPs demand “strongest action” against protestors. |