BJP MPs armed with sticks blocked us from entering Parliament: Rahul

New Delhi - Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi today accused the BJP of instigating a scuffle outside the Parliament building on Thursday, claiming BJP MPs armed with sticks blocked Congress MPs from entering the premises. Congress MPs were blocked from entering Parliament by BJP MPs wielding sticks during a peaceful protest against Amit Shah's remarks about B.R. Ambedkar near Makar Dwaar, the main entrance of the complex.

Addressing the media at Congress headquarters, Gandhi refuted BJP claims of Congress MPs creating a ruckus, stating the Congress party was holding a peaceful demonstration demanding Amit Shah's resignation or removal by the Prime Minister. He alleges that BJP members, armed with sticks, intimidated and threatened him and other INDIA bloc MPs, escalating the situation.

Gandhi condemned the BJP's actions as "anti-constitutional, anti-Ambedkar," and accused them of attempting to deflect from important issues. He further accused the ruling party of attempting to erase Ambedkar's contributions to the Indian Constitution, citing Amit Shah's Rajya Sabha statement as evidence.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge echoed these sentiments, blaming the BJP for the confrontation and resulting injuries to two Congress MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput. He characterized the events as a "well-crafted drama" orchestrated by the BJP to manage damage control.

Kharge explained that the Congress MPs began their demonstration by marching from Ambedkar's statue towards Makar Dwaar, where they were met by BJP MPs who blocked their entry. He asserted that even women MPs were manhandled during the incident. Kharge denied BJP allegations of Congress MPs pushing and shoving, stating he was personally pushed, causing him to fall and injure his knees.

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge vowed to continue their agitation against what they perceive as an attempt by the ruling dispensation to undermine Babasaheb Ambedkar's contributions. Ambedkar's legacy, citing Amit Shah's earlier remark that "calling Ambedkar…Ambedkar, has become a fashion."

Congress MPs had been demanding Amit Shah's resignation or removal since the previous day, and when their demands were not met, they organized a demonstration outside the Parliament.