The Winter Session of Parliament erupted in turmoil on Thursday, as tensions between the BJP and Congress escalated over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial remarks on BR Ambedkar. Both houses, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, were adjourned for the day amidst protests, heated exchanges, and allegations of physical altercations.
Clash Over Ambedkar Remarks
Opposition leaders, including Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi, condemned Amit Shah’s alleged comments about BR Ambedkar, demanding his resignation. Kharge described the remarks as an attack on Ambedkar’s principles, stating the BJP was attempting to distract from the issue.- Allegations of Physical Violence
The proceedings took a dramatic turn when both parties accused each other of physical misconduct. BJP MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput claimed injuries due to an altercation involving Rahul Gandhi, an allegation Gandhi vehemently denied. Conversely, Congress accused BJP MPs of obstructing and pushing their members, with Kharge reportedly falling and injuring himself. - Police Complaints Filed
Both parties escalated their grievances to law enforcement. BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, filed a police complaint against Rahul Gandhi, citing physical assault. Simultaneously, Congress leaders lodged a complaint against alleged misbehavior by BJP MPs towards Kharge. - Rahul Gandhi Defended
Leaders like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended Gandhi, rejecting claims of aggression. Abdullah described Gandhi as incapable of rude behavior, while Priyanka emphasized his respect for parliamentary decorum. - Political Accusations Continue
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized Rahul Gandhi’s “feudal behavior,” holding him responsible for injuries to BJP MPs. Meanwhile, Congress leaders reiterated that the BJP was trying to shift focus from Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar. - No-Confidence Motion Dismissed
A no-confidence motion against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was rejected, citing procedural lapses. - Videos Surface Amid Accusations
Both BJP and Congress shared video clips to substantiate their claims of misconduct during protests. While BJP alleged arrogance on Gandhi’s part, Congress accused BJP MPs of blocking their entry into Parliament. - PM Modi’s Involvement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly contacted the injured BJP MPs to check on their well-being, underlining the gravity of the situation.
Ongoing Protests
Protests from various opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, continued outside Parliament, with demands for a public apology from Amit Shah. Congress has also accused the government of censoring videos related to the controversy on social media platforms.
The session is set to resume tomorrow, with tensions likely to persist as the opposition remains firm on its demands.
