New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, a scuffle erupted on the premises of the Parliament, resulting in two BJP Members of Parliament (MPs), Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput, sustaining injuries. The MPs were swiftly rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in Delhi, where both are currently admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to Dr. Ajay Shukla, the Medical Superintendent at RML Hospital.
In a show of concern, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called to inquire about the well-being of the injured MPs.
The incident has sparked a political firestorm, with both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress trading accusations. The Congress party has alleged that its MPs were blocked from entering the House, fueling the confrontation. Meanwhile, BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi, one of the injured, claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP, causing him to fall onto Sarangi, which led to his injury.
Sarangi was reportedly standing near the stairs when the incident occurred. The scuffle came amid heightened tensions between the BJP and opposition members, who were engaged in protests and counter-protests. Following the altercation, BJP leaders, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, condemned the violence, accusing Congress MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, of physically assaulting their counterparts. Rijiju criticized the Congress leader for using physical force, calling the incident “hooliganism.”
In response, Rahul Gandhi denied the allegations, asserting that when he attempted to enter the Parliament, BJP MPs attempted to block him. Gandhi claimed he was both pushed and threatened by the BJP MPs, insisting that as a Member of Parliament, he had the right to access the House. He further remarked that his right to enter Parliament was being unjustly obstructed by the ruling party.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also weighed in on the matter, accusing the ruling BJP of violating instructions issued by the Lok Sabha Speaker. Tharoor argued that MPs should not be allowed to block the entrance to the Parliament, calling the actions of BJP MPs a blatant disregard for parliamentary norms.
The atmosphere in the Parliament remains tense, with both parties continuing to blame each other for the incident. The opposition is demanding an impartial investigation, while the BJP has labeled the actions of Congress MPs as an act of aggression. As the controversy unfolds, the Parliament is bracing for further political fallout.
