High drama outside Parliament:  FIR against Rahul Gandhi

Protest, counterprotests, brawls, and a police case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi - over Home Minister Amit Shah's "Ambedkar is the fashion" remark - roiled Parliament Thursday, with the BJP and Congress trading allegations of each using force to prevent rivals from entering the building.

The chaos began with BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi claiming that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP, who eventually fell on him, causing him injuries. "I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi came and pushed an MP who then fell on me," Sarangi told the media as he was being taken to a hospital. He added that the incident led to him falling as well. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, has reportedly spoken to Sarangi and Rajput.

In his defence, Rahul Gandhi said that he was standing near the entrance where the BJP MPs, who were countering protests by INDIA bloc MPs on Amit Shah's Ambedkar remarks, were blocking his way. "They were pushing me and threatening me," he said.

Kharge too assaulted

Soon after, Congress chief and the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that he too was also assaulted as he, along with other MPs, reached Parliament's Makar Dwar. In a letter addressed to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Kharge said, "I was physically pushed by BJP MPs," adding that the altercation caused him to lose his balance and fall to the ground, causing injuries.

Kharge urged the Speaker to order an inquiry, describing the incident as "an assault not just on me personally but on the Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha, and the Congress President." The BJP has not yet issued a statement on the matter.

Thursday's scenes outside Parliament came against the backdrop of the INDIA bloc MPs protesting against what they claim was an insult to BR Ambedkar by Home Minister Amit Shah in his Rajya Sabha speech on Tuesday. Countering the Opposition's protests, NDA MPs too held demonstrations as Parliament remained stalled with the row over the Ambedkar remarks taking centre stage.

After the incident came to Rahul Gandhi's attention, he approached BJP MP Pratap Sarangi, who was being treated by doctors. As Rahul Gandhi moved closer to Sarangi, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey shouted, “Don’t you feel ashamed? You are engaging in rowdyism. (Sharam nahi aati hai, Gundagardi karti ho?)". Some other BJP MPs also confronted Gandhi.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, condemned the incident and said appropriate legal actions would be taken. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi had physically assaulted two BJP MPs.

Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Byreddy Shabari and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj have filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi over the assault in the Parliament, sources said.

The Congress, meanwhile, shared another video, to back their claim that Mallikarjhun Kharge was blocked by the BJP MPs. "It is clearly visible in this video. BJP MPs are stopping opposition MPs from entering the House with sticks and placards in their hands. BJP MPs are pushing and shoving Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi and other women MPs. This is sheer hooliganism. There is BJP's dictatorship in the temple of democracy. This will not be tolerated at any cost," the Congress said.