The Congress on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a scuffle between members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) outside Parliament. The incident, the Congress claims, was a ploy to shift focus from Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial remarks on Dr. BR Ambedkar made earlier in the Rajya Sabha.
Addressing the media, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh alleged that the incident at the Parliament’s Makar Dwar entrance was premeditated. “Delhi Police is acting at the behest of the Home Minister. The scuffle was completely planned to distract from Shah’s insulting comments about Ambedkar. Instead of addressing the issue, they are trying to tarnish Rahul Gandhi’s image,” Ramesh told ANI.
The controversy erupted on Thursday when ugly scenes unfolded near Parliament. BJP MPs alleged that Rahul Gandhi assaulted two of their members, who reportedly sustained injuries. A female BJP MP also claimed intimidation by the Leader of Opposition.
The Congress countered these allegations, claiming that BJP legislators blocked Gandhi’s path and shoved Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, injuring his knee. At around 4 pm, Congress leaders submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing BJP MPs of “manhandling” Gandhi and urging serious action.
Meanwhile, a delegation of BJP leaders, including MPs Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, lodged a police complaint against Gandhi at the Parliament Street police station. The Congress retaliated by filing a counter-complaint, alleging misbehavior with Kharge inside the Parliament premises.
Ramesh further criticized the FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi, describing it as “an attack on Ambedkar’s legacy” rather than a legal move. “The Home Minister should apologize for his remarks instead of resorting to such diversionary tactics,” he added.
The incident has added fuel to the ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the Opposition INDIA bloc, with both sides trading accusations of intimidation and misconduct. As Parliament continues to grapple with these confrontations, the focus on legislative debate seems increasingly overshadowed by political strife.