New Delhi – The proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day on Thursday following a massive uproar surrounding Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the alleged physical altercation between MPs from the INDIA alliance and the BJP outside Parliament.
The Parliament will reconvene at 11 AM on Friday, the final day of the ongoing Winter Session, to continue the discussions. The disruption marked the ongoing political tensions, overshadowing the business of the legislative body.
High Drama Outside Parliament
While the atmosphere inside Parliament was tense, it was the dramatic confrontation outside that made headlines. MPs from the ruling NDA and opposition INDIA bloc held separate protest marches over Amit Shah’s remarks on B.R. Ambedkar. The two groups came face-to-face near the Makar Dwar, resulting in a scuffle in which BJP MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured.
Both MPs were immediately rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Sarangi, seen holding his injured forehead, claimed that he was pushed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In a statement to the press, Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, denied the allegation, asserting that it was the BJP members who had pushed and “threatened” him as he tried to enter Parliament.
Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge also accused BJP MPs of obstructing his entry into Parliament, alleging that he was physically pushed on the stairs. Kharge has written to the Lok Sabha Speaker to bring attention to the matter.
Protest Marches and Political Standoff
Opposition MPs, dressed in blue—symbolic of Ambedkar’s legacy—staged a protest demanding Amit Shah’s resignation over his controversial remarks on the architect of the Indian Constitution. Meanwhile, BJP MPs also marched within Parliament premises, raising slogans and carrying placards calling for an apology from the Congress over what they claimed was an insult to Ambedkar.
BJP MPs File Police Complaint
The situation escalated as BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Anurag Thakur filed a police complaint at Parliament Street Police Station, accusing Rahul Gandhi of assaulting Pratap Sarangi. Dr. Ajay Shukla, the Medical Superintendent of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, confirmed that both MPs had suffered head injuries and had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Sarangi was undergoing treatment for heavy bleeding and a deep cut, while Rajput, who had briefly lost consciousness, was said to be in a state of dizziness and anxiety.
Sarangi claimed that the incident occurred when another MP, allegedly pushed by Rahul Gandhi, fell onto him, leading to his head injury. “I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi pushed a member of Parliament, who then fell on me,” Sarangi said.
Political Fallout from Amit Shah’s Remarks
The tension stemmed from a speech made by Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, which sparked a massive political controversy. Shah’s remarks about B.R. Ambedkar were strongly criticized by the Congress, accusing him of being anti-Ambedkar. The opposition party has called for his resignation and demanded that the matter be discussed in both Houses of Parliament.
Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking on behalf of Congress, criticized Shah’s speech and demanded an apology for his comments about Ambedkar during the Constitution debate. Shah, in response, accused the Congress of distorting his words and being “anti-B.R. Ambedkar, anti-reservation, and anti-Constitution.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also came to Shah’s defense, accusing Congress of insulting Ambedkar and claiming that Shah had exposed the opposition party’s “dark history.” Modi further alleged that the Congress was stunned by the truth Shah presented during his speech.
As the political drama continues, both Houses of Parliament remain on edge, with the ongoing standoff likely to shape the final day of the winter session. The day’s adjournment underscores the rising tensions, with both the ruling party and the opposition remaining at loggerheads over the Ambedkar issue.