High drama after BJP, INDIA bloc MPs protest

New Delhi: Ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc MPs took out separate protest marches over the Ambedkar issue on Thursday and came face to face at the Makar Dwar of the Parliament House, leading to jostling in which BJP MP Pratap Sarangi was injured. He was taken to hospital with an injury on his forehead. BJP MPs alleged that Sarangi was pushed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha later told reporters that while he was trying to enter the Parliament House, BJP members pushed and “threatened” him. “It is our right to enter Parliament,” he said. Nishikant Dubey of the BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi pushed an aged parliamentarian leading to his fall and subsequent injury.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been adjourned following noisy protests by the Opposition seeking an apology from Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks on B R Ambedkar. Dressed in blue, INDIA bloc MPs, including the Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest in the Parliament premises demanding Shah’s resignation for his remarks related to Ambedkar.