A political storm erupted on Thursday following Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial remarks about BR Ambedkar. His comments led to protests in Parliament, resulting in injuries to two BJP MPs, allegedly caused by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushing them. The situation escalated when opposition members climbed the ‘Makar Dwar’ of Parliament, demanding an apology from Shah.
#WATCH | Delhi: MPs of INDIA Alliance climb the walls of Makar Dwar at the Parliament and protest with placards demanding an apology and resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha. pic.twitter.com/Bd9UAEkMKX
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024
The protests began when members of the INDIA alliance, led by Congress, tried to enter Parliament. However, they encountered BJP MPs who were holding their own protest. As Congress MP Rahul Gandhi allegedly pushed a BJP MP, it caused a chain reaction. BJP MPs Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Sarangi were injured and rushed to the ICU at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.
#WATCH | Delhi | BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi says, "Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who fell on me after which I fell down…I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi came and pushed an MP who then fell on me…" pic.twitter.com/xhn2XOvYt4
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also claimed that BJP MPs physically pushed him during the incident, injuring his knee, which had previously been surgically treated.
BJP MP Pratap Sarangi spoke out, stating, “Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who fell on me, causing me to fall too.” Sarangi, who was later wheeled into the hospital, had a handkerchief on his forehead due to his injuries.
Rahul Gandhi denied the allegations. He said BJP MPs tried to stop him from entering Parliament and were threatening him. He clarified, “I was just trying to go inside, and BJP MPs were blocking my way.”
Mallikarjun Kharge also accused BJP MPs of physically pushing him. In a letter, he explained, “When I reached Makar Dwar with other MPs, BJP MPs pushed me. I lost my balance and fell, injuring my knee that had previously undergone surgery.”
Both injured BJP MPs, Sarangi and Rajput, are receiving medical treatment. According to hospital officials, Sarangi suffered a deep cut on his head and had lost a lot of blood. Rajput had a head injury and high blood pressure. Both MPs are undergoing treatment and medical scans.
The protests were sparked by Amit Shah’s remarks on December 17, 2024, where he criticized the Congress party’s repeated mention of Ambedkar. He said, “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar’s name. If they had said God’s name that many times, they would have earned a place in heaven.”
Shah’s comments were seen as disrespectful toward Ambedkar, leading to a political firestorm. Shah added that while the BJP welcomed Congress acknowledging Ambedkar, the party should be honest about its true feelings towards him.
The controversy over Shah’s remarks intensified tensions between the BJP and opposition, leading to the protests and physical confrontations in Parliament.
