Complaint vs complaint: BJP, Congress turn to police as Parliament 'assault' row escalates

Public Lokpal
December 19, 2024

New Delhi: A confrontation between the BJP and Congress escalated on Thursday as both parties filed police complaints accusing each other of assault and misconduct following an alleged scuffle outside Parliament.

The confrontation erupted over Amit Shah's remarks in Parliament on Tuesday, where he slammed the Congress for repeatedly invoking B.R. Ambedkar. In his Rajya Sabha speech, Shah stated, "If they had taken God's name as many times, they would have earned a place in heaven."

"Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata, Shah had said.

The opposition vociferously condemned the statement and called it an insult to the Father of our constitution.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur, leading a delegation of BJP MPs, lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of assault and incitement.

Speaking outside the Parliament Street Police Station, Thakur said, “We have filed a complaint under Sections 109, 115, 117, 125, 131, and 351 of the BNS. Section 109 pertains to an attempt to murder, while Section 117 involves voluntarily causing grievous hurt.”

Clashes broke out outside Parliament between Congress and BJP leaders, with both sides making serious allegations of physical altercations. BJP MP Pratap Sarangi accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing another MP, leading to injuries. In response, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi alleged that BJP MPs had blocked and assaulted them. As the two parties exchanged accusations, the Parliament session remained stalled.

The BJP has alleged that Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput sustained head injuries during the incident. Both MPs were admitted to the ICU at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

The Congress lodged a complaint at the Parliament Street Police Station on Thursday, alleging that BJP leaders misbehaved with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, a senior police officer confirmed.

A delegation of Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Rajiv Shukla, and Pramod Tiwari, personally submitted the complaint. At the time, a group of BJP leaders was meeting with New Delhi DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla, prompting the Congress leaders to wait in the ACP's room before filing their grievance.

Police have confirmed receipt of the complaint and stated that they are reviewing the allegations.

"Eighty-four-year-old Dalit leader Mallikarjun Kharge was pushed and misbehaved with. We have come here to file a complaint against this act," Pramod Tiwari said while addressing the media.

In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress MPs demanded an investigation into the incident.

PTI