BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi Alleges Injury After Being ‘Pushed’ By Rahul Gandhi in Parliament

A heated clash in Parliament has sparked controversy as BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi accused Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of causing him minor head injuries during a scuffle near the Parliament entrance. Sarangi alleged that Gandhi pushed another MP, who then fell on him, leading to his injury. Speaking to the media, Sarangi stated that he was standing near the stairs when the incident occurred and that he sustained injuries after falling. In reply, Rahul Gandhi denied any deliberate act of aggression and instead accused BJP MPs of blocking his entry.

He claimed that BJP members were trying to push and threaten him while he was trying to enter Parliament. Gandhi said that there was jostling but insisted that the focus should remain on the BJP’s attack on the Constitution and the insult to Dr. BR Ambedkar’s legacy.

Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Piyush Goyal visited RML Hospital to check on Sarangi after the incident.

#WATCH | Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "This might be on your camera. I was trying to go inside through the Parliament entrance, BJP MPs were trying to stop me, push me and threaten me. So this happened…Yes, this has happened (Mallikarjun Kharge being pushed). But we do not… https://t.co/q1RSr2BWqu pic.twitter.com/ZKDWbIY6D6

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024

The argument has come at a time when the political storm has been rising over the statements by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha regarding Dr. BR Ambedkar. Shah’s comments, where he suggested that invoking Ambedkar’s name repeatedly had become a “fashion,” angered opposition leaders. Shah said that if Congress leaders had taken God’s name as often as Ambedkar, they would have managed to get a place in heaven for seven lifetimes. The Congress has strongly condemned Shah’s remarks, accusing the BJP of disrespecting the Constitution and Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions. Demanding Shah’s resignation, the Congress has announced nationwide protests, which will be organised at state and district levels.

Video footage also captured opposition leaders, including members of the INDIA bloc, marching towards significant landmarks like the Babasaheb Ambedkar statue on Parliament grounds, raising slogans against the BJP. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the remarks an insult to Ambedkar’s legacy and the Constitution he built. Rahul Gandhi also echoed these sentiments, stating that the BJP wants to silence opposition voices but they would continue to fight for Ambedkar’s vision and the rights of all citizens.

Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Piyush Goyal, and other BJP leaders are going to RML hospital to see party MP Pratap Sarangi. https://t.co/q1RSr2BWqu

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024

To which the BJP leadership has responded by describing all these allegations and protests as mere distractions. According to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Congress resorts to theatrics to take the attention away from its failure and insists that it always respects Ambedkar’s contribution to the nation.

The incident and the continuing protests have only widened the gap between the ruling party and the opposition, and the atmosphere has become quite tense as Parliament continues its Winter Session.