BENGALURU: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged that he was physically pushed by BJP MPs, which led to a knee injury, following a confrontation with BJP leaders Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Sarangi. The incident occurred when Kharge and other MPs from the INDIA alliance marched from Makar Dwar to the Dr. Ambedkar monument at Prerna Sthal on December 19, 2024, in response to remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Dr. Ambedkar during a Rajya Sabha speech.
In a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Kharge described the physical altercation, claiming that BJP MPs pushed him when he arrived at Makar Dwar. He mentioned that he lost his footing and had to sit down due to the knee injury, which required him to sit in a chair provided by Congress MPs. Kharge added that his knee had previously undergone surgery, exacerbating the pain from the push. He further stated that he was assisted by his colleagues and managed to hobble into the House later in the day.
Kharge has requested Speaker Om Birla to order an inquiry into the incident. This is part of ongoing tensions between the Congress and BJP, especially in the wake of Amit Shah’s controversial remarks about Dr. Ambedkar.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders KC Venugopal, K. Suresh, and Manickam Tagore sent a letter to the Speaker condemning the alleged physical assault on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi by three BJP MPs. The letter called the incident a violation of parliamentary privileges and the democratic ideals of the Parliament, urging the Speaker to take appropriate action.
Priyanka Gandhi Responds to the BJP’s Alleged Disruption
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also addressed the incident, condemning BJP MPs for allegedly preventing her brother, Rahul Gandhi, from entering Parliament peacefully. She defended her brother, stating that Rahul Gandhi, carrying a picture of Dr. Ambedkar and chanting “Jai Bhim,” was stopped by BJP MPs during a nonviolent protest. She further emphasized that there should be space for all MPs to move freely, especially in peaceful protests.
The Row Over Amit Shah’s Remarks on Dr. Ambedkar
The controversy began when Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a speech in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, remarked that Congress leaders would have secured a place in heaven if they had praised God instead of frequently invoking Dr. Ambedkar’s name. The comments sparked protests, leading to a chaotic scene outside Parliament, where BJP and opposition MPs clashed. The violence resulted in minor injuries to BJP MPs Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Sarangi, who accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing them. Rahul Gandhi, however, denied the allegations, stating that he was trying to peacefully enter Parliament when BJP MPs surrounded him and initiated the confrontation.
