Parliament Winter Session Live: BJP vs Congress outside Parliament.
Parliament Winter Session Highlights: High-voltage drama was witnessed in Parliament on Thursday after members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress accused each other of resorting to violence during protests over the alleged insult to BR Ambedkar by Union home minister Amit Shah earlier this week.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju claimed two BJP lawmakers - Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput - were "seriously injured" by Rahul Gandhi - a charge the Congress MP rejected. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge claimed he was "pushed by BJP MPs... (and) forced to sit down on the ground". He said he suffered an injury on his knees, which was recently operated on.
Later in the day, the Congress and the BJP filed cross-complaints over the alleged scuffle in the Parliament premises. A First Information Report (FIR) was also registered against Mr Gandhi on the basis of a complaint by the BJP.
Meanwhile, proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day amid continuous protests by opposition benches over Mr Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar.
Here are Highlights of the Parliament Winter Session:
Speaker Bars Protests At Parliament Gates After MPs' Injury Row: Sources
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has issued strict instructions to ensure no MP is allowed to hold protests at any of the gates in Parliament House, sources have said. The instructions came after chaos and ruckus unfolded earlier today between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Opposition MPs at the Makar Dwar of the Parliament House.
"Those Disrespecting BR Ambedkar Will Be Shown Their Place": Prakash Ambedkar
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar on Thursday said remarks about Dr B R Ambedkar should be made with respect and those not doing so will be shown their place. Staging a protest outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in south Mumbai against remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Babasaheb Ambedkar, the VBA chief also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming to the rescue of his cabinet colleague.
"The struggle started by us has to be taken to every household for creating awareness. Any remark made by Dr Ambedkar has to be done with respect. Those who do not do that will be shown their place," said Ambedkar, who is the grandson of the legendary jurist and social reformer.
"MPs Must Demonstrate Exemplary Conduct Worthy Of Emulation": Jagdeep Dhankar
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said the parliamentarians must demonstrate exemplary conduct that is worthy of emulation.
His remarks came on a day the rival MPs jostled in the forecourt of Parliament in unprecedented scenes of unruliness.
He cautioned that if Parliament ceases to be a centre of dialogue, debate and discussion by failing to address the issues of the people, it risks sliding into irrelevance, posing serious threats to our democratic values.
FIR Registered Against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi
An FIR has been registered against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at Delhi's Sansad Marg police station, after two BJP lawmakers were injured at Parliament complex earlier in the day.
"Rahul Gandhi Does Not Deserve To Be Leader of Opposition": BJP
Accusing Rahul Gandhi of "pushing and shoving" its MPs on the Parliament premises, the BJP on Thursday said he does not deserve to be the Leader of Opposition after such "indecent and shameful" conduct.
"Rahul Gandhi does not deserve to hold the post of the Leader of Opposition," Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said at a press conference, as he slammed the Congress leader's behaviour and alleged it is against India's cultural ethos.
"None Should Play Politics Over Melee In Parliament": BJD
Odisha's main opposition party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday said there should be no politics over the alleged physical altercation between MPs of the Congress and BJP in Parliament earlier in the day. The BJD, headed by former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, said that the incident has belittled the glory of Parliament.
"The truth behind the incident should come to the fore," the BJD said in a statement. "There should be no politics over this incident. No one is above the law, be him/her an MLA, MP or son of a governor," it added.
Arvind Kejriwal Attacks Amit Shah Over Ambedkar Remarks
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on BR Ambedkar in Parliament, saying "Ambedkar is no less than the god of modern India".
"You have to choose between Baba Saheb and the BJP. Jo Baba Saheb se kare pyaar, vo BJP ko kare inkaar (those who love Baba Saheb should reject the BJP)," he said.
"These words in themselves were very painful and insulting to Ambedkar. But the tone in which he said it seemed that how much he hates Baba Saheb. At first, I thought it must have come out of his mouth, but next day even Prime Minister Narendra Modi also supported Shah," he added.
Remarks On BR Ambedkar Expose BJP's "Anti-Democratic mindset": Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused the BJP of undermining BR Ambedkar and the values enshrined in the country's Constitution that he helped frame.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's comments are an "insult to Babasaheb and his Constitution", Mr Yadav said, adding that Mr Shah must apologise to the people of the country.
"This is not some artificial intelligence (AI) malfunction or a technical fault. This is a fault within them (BJP) -- a reflection of their natural bias," he added.
Amit Shah's Remark Insulted Ambedkar: Mayawati
BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should take back his recent remark on B R Ambedkar, and alleged that it has harmed the Dalit icon's dignity and offended his followers.
"The words used by the BJP's Amit Shah in Parliament about the original architect of the Indian Constitution and the revered God and Messiah of Dalits and other neglected classes, Param Pujya Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, have greatly harmed Babasaheb's dignity," she said.
"...I would say that he should take back these words soon and also repent for this. Otherwise, his followers will never be able to forget this incident nor will they ever be able to forgive him," she added.
"Thought-Out Conspiracy Of BJP": Congress MP On Parliament Scuffle
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari criticised BJP over the scuffle that broke out at Parliament earlier in the day and said that the resistance from the ruling alliance towards the opposition was part of a "thought-out conspiracy". "There is a conspiracy in this. Who authorised BJP MPs to block our entry (to Parliament)?" he said.
Sarbananda Sonowal Slams Rahul Gandhi For His "Unparliamentary Behaviour"
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his alleged unparliamentary behaviour against a BJP MPs, saying there is "no scope of physical altercation in the temple of democracy". "Such action is a blatant violation of the decorum of the House and in contravention of the principle of 'Ahimsa'. I call upon the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to take cognisance of this matter and bring the guilty to the book," he said.
Samajwadi Party MPs Protest Against Amit Shah's Remarks On Ambedkar
Samajwadi Party MPs held a protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar. "The BJP should apologise for the comments made in Parliament... This proves that the BJP is against the principles of BR Ambedkar," party lawmaker Dimple Yadav said.
"BJP-RSS Thinking Is Anti-Constitution": Rahul Gandhi
Mr Gandhi said the BJP-RSS thinking is "anti-Constitution" and "anti-Ambedkar". "The BJP is indulging in distraction. We want the apology and resignation of home minister over his remarks on Ambedkar," he said.
"BJP MPs Were Not Allowing Congress MPs Inside Parliament"
Alleging that he was injured by BJP lawmakers, Mr Kharge said: "BJP MPs blocked us from entering Parliament; they pushed me, I lost my balance and sat down."
"BJP Trying To Divert Attention From Mr Shah's Remarks": Mallikarjun Kharge
"The BJP wants to divert attention from Mr Shah's remarks on Ambedkar, that's why they are raising other issues," Mr Kharge said, referring to the chaos in Parliament earlier in the day.
"We Protested Because...": Mallikarjun Kharge On Parliament Chaos
Speaking to reporters, Mr Kharge said: "I condemn Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar. We had demanded that Amit Shah be sacked; we knew it'll not be done and that's why we carried out protests."
NDA MPs File Police Complaint Against Rahul Gandhi
Three NDA MPs, including Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, have filed a police complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being involved in "physical assault and incitement" during a scuffle at Parliament, an officer said. Thakur and Swaraj, accompanied by a TDP MP, gave the met the officers at the Parliament Street Police Station and gave a written complaint. "We have filed a complaint against Mr Rahul Gandhi for physical assault and incitement," Thakur told media, outside the police station.
Congress Hits Out At Amit Shah Over Remarks On BR Ambedkar
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi is currently addressing the media on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar.
"This Type Of Violence...": Odisha CM On BJP MP's Injury
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has said that BJP lawmaker Pratap Sarangi got injured because of the "irresponsible and objectionable" behaviour of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Parliament. He said "such actions" of Gandhi were not only "unacceptable" but also an insult to the "sacred house of democracy". "Due to irresponsible and objectionable behaviour of Rahul Gandhi in Parliament, our senior party leader and Lok Sabha MP from Balasore Shri @pcsarangi ji got injured. Such actions of Rahul Gandhi are not only unacceptable but it is also an insult to the sacred house of democracy," he said in a post on X.
Congress Files Police Complaint Alleging Misbehaviour With Mallikarjun Kharge
The Congress has filed a complaint at Parliament Street Police Station, alleging BJP leaders misbehaved with its chief Mallikarjun Kharge, an officer said. The delegation of Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Rajiv Shukla and Pramod Tiwari, filed the complaint visiting the station in person, the officer said. A delegation of BJP leaders was still inside New Delhi DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla's office there, when the Congress leaders came with their complaint and were asked to wait inside the ACP's room.
Rahul Gandhi Will Not Push Anyone Or Be Rude: Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday dismissed the BJP claims that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi pushed two ruling party members in Parliament premises, saying it was not in his nature to be nasty or rude. "I know Rahul, he would not push anyone much less a Member of Parliament. It's simply not in his nature to be rude or nasty to anyone," Abdullah posted on his X handle.
Rahul Gandhi's 'Feudal Behaviour' Caused Grievous Injuries To MPs: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging his "arrogance, sense of entitlement and feudal behaviour" has caused grievous injuries to elected MPs and put their life in danger.
"Will @RahulGandhi ever grow up? The Parliament is not his personal fiefdom. His arrogance, sense of entitlement and feudal behaviour today has caused grievous injuries to elected MPs and has put life in danger. Strongly disapprove his behaviour and tantrums. No amount of condemnation is enough for his juvenile act. The least he owes is an apology," Pradhan wrote on X.
JP Nadda Condemns Rahul Gandhi's "Misconduct" Towards BJP MPs
Leader of Rajya Sabha, J P Nadda, has condemned Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's alleged misconduct towards members of the ruling BJP.
Tit For Tat: Congress Women MPs Allege They Were Pushed By BJP Leaders
After BJP MP S Phangnon Konyak alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi misbehaved with her, Women MPs of the Congress have charged against BJP. Women MPs of the Congress allege they were pushed by BJP leaders while entering Parliament
Parliament Winter Session Update: No Trust Move Against VP Rejected
Opposition's no-confidence motion against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has been rejected. Deputy Chairman Harivansh gave the ruling as the 14-day notice was not given. Also, Mr Dhankar's name was mispelt.
Congress women MPs to go to Sandad marg police station at 3pm today.
BJP MP Alleges Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi "Misbehaved" S. Phangnon Konyak, Member of Parliament from Nagaland has written to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar, alleging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of misbehaving.
In her letter, she wrote, "He (Rahul Gandhi) misbehaved with me in a loud voice and his physical proximity to me was so close that I being a lady member felt extremely uncomfortable. I stepped aside with heavy heart and denouncing my democratic rights but felt that no Member of Parliament should behave this way."
"Didn't Push Anyone," Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Defends Brother Rahul Gandhi
Defending her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that Mr Gandhi "didn't push anyone". She claimed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge fell down during the protest and got injured.
Parliament Winter Session Update: "Parliament Not A Wrestling Arena," Says Union Minister Kiren Rijiju
For the few minutes that Rajya Sabha resumed at 2pm, BJP MPs raised the issue of physical assault in the Parliament. Speaking in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "Rahul Gandhi today pushed two BJP MPs who are now hospitalised. The entire Congress should apologise to the Parliament and the country for Rahul Gandhi's behaviour. Parliament is not a wrestling arena..."
Parliament Winter Session Update: Both Houses Adjourned
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, both the Houses of the Parliament have been adjourned till tomorrow 11 am.
Congress MPs KC Venugopal, K Suresh And Manickam Tagore Write To Lok Sabha Speaker Om BirlaCongress MPs KC Venugopal, K Suresh and Manickam Tagore have written to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla expressing "deep anguish" over physical assault in the Parliament today. Allegedly, members of the INDIA alliance were physically obstructed from entering the Parliament through Makar Dwar.
"Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition was physically manhandled by three MPs from the ruling party. This is a clear violation of the privileges extended to the Leader of Opposition and infringes on the rights accorded to him in his official capacity as an MP."
Congress has called it a "blatant assault on the personal dignity" of Rahul Gandhi.
Parliament Winter Session Update: BJP, Congress MPs Claim Injuries
Parliament Winter Session Update: NDA To File FIR Against Rahul Gandhi
PM Modi Speaks To Injured BJP MPs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly called Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput and inquired about their health after the injuries in the Parliament today.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Alleges Physical Assault By BJP MPs, Writes To Lok Sabha SpeakerLeader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged he was physically pushed by BJP MPs during a protest march by the INDIA bloc from the statue of Dr. Ambedkar at Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar. The Opposition has been protesting against the insulting remarks on Dr Ambedkar made by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his speech in the Rajya Sabha.
"When I reached Makar Dwar along with the INDIA parties MPs, I was physically pushed by BJP MPs. Thereafter, I lost my balance and was forced to sit down on the ground in front of Makar Dwar. This inflicted injury on my knees which have already undergone surgery. Subsequently, Congress MPs brought a chair and I was made to sit on it. With great difficulty and with the support of my colleagues, I limped to the House at 11 AM," the letter reads.
Mr Kharge has urged Lok Sabha Speaker to order an inquiry into this incident.
"We Believe In Non-Violence, Democracy": Kiren Rijiju On Congress Allegedly Attacking BJP MPsCongress and other MPs kept on standing at the Makar Dwar, the main entry gate to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, said Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. "While the NDA MPs were protesting at the Makar Dwar, the main gate, the Congress MPs led by Rahul Gandhi came and assaulted, pushed two MPs of the BJP and pushed around other MPs also. Two of the BJP MPs Pratap Singh Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput have sustained grievous injury," he added.
Mr Rijiju said that other MPs are not weak. They just believe in non-violence and democracy.
"Rahul Gandhi must understand and tender his apology to the nation and to the MPs to whom he has caused the gravest injury. Appropriate action will be taken. First, we will see the level of injury because there was a report that the injury was quite serious and there was some oozing of blood. The medical treatment is now undergoing," he said.
"Ambedkar’s Legacy And Constitution Itself Have Become A Battleground Politically": Shashi TharoorCongress MP Shashi Tharoor suggested we need to "move on to the problems of today and tomorrow". He urged BJP to produce the correct video, if they think the Congress is circulating a shorter clip.
"Unfortunately, Ambedkar's legacy and the Constitution itself have become a battleground politically... This is becoming a bit absurd on both sides. We need to move on to the problems of today and tomorrow... At the moment, the message is clear and the opposition is united on this- If indeed the video is not correct they (BJP) should produce the correct video (of Union HM Amit Shah's speech in Rajya Sabha)," he said.
Protest vs Protest: Both BJP, Opposition Claim Insult To AmbedkarDramatic scenes played out in Parliament today as both the BJP and the Opposition took out protest marches amid the massive row over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dalit icon BR Ambedkar. While the Congress MPs demanded the Home Minister's resignation, BJP leaders said the Congress had humiliated BR Ambedkar and must apologise.
The Gandhi siblings dressed in blue, symbolising Dalit resistance, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Opposition MPs marched with photographs of BR Ambedkar. Slogans of 'Jai Bheem' and 'Amit Shah, apologise' were raised.
The BJP, on the other hand, took out a separate march holding pictures of Ambedkar. At one point, both marches reached the Makar Dwar of Parliament and the MPs from the two sides raised slogans to outshout each other.
Parliament Winter Session Update: Mallikarjun Kharge Moves Privilege Motion Against Home Minister Amit Shah
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge moves privilege motion against Home Minister Amit Shah for making insulting remarks against BR Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha, during Constitution debate.
Rahul Gandhi Says "Way Blocked" After BJP MP Injured In Parliament ShowdownRahul Gandhi has responded strongly to claims by a BJP MP - Pratap Chandra Sarangi - that he was inadvertently injured by the Congress MP during a scuffle outside Parliament's Makar Dawar (gate) Thursday morning. Mr Gandhi told reporters it was, in fact, a group of BJP MPs who shoved him away and issued threats, and that they had also threatened Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Arvind Kejriwal Writes To BJP Allies Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu Amid Ambedkar RowArvind Kejriwal sought to know the views of the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu over the remarks of Amit Shah.
In a post on X in Hindi, Mr Kejriwal said, " The people of the country want to ask Honorable Nitish Ji and Chandrababu Naidu Ji - "Do you support the insult of Baba Saheb done by Amit Shah Ji?"
Parliament Winter Session Update: Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 2 PM
Parliament Winter Session Update
Speaking on protests on Ambedkar row in the Rajya Sabha, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar said, "We cannot allow the country to plunge into anarchy".
Parliament Winter Session Update: "BJP Members Stopping Us From Entering Parliament," Says Rahul GandhiCongress leader Rahul Gandhi claims that BJP MPs are tried to stop him, push him and threaten him, when he tried entering the Parliament. "It is our right to enter the Parliament."
BJP MP Pratap Sarangi has alleged that Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who fell on him following which Mr Sarangi fell.
Parliament Winter Session Update: Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 2 PM
INDIA Alliance MPs Climb Walls Of Makar Dwar At ParliamentOpposition MPs climb the walls of Makar Dwar at the Parliament. They are protesting, demanding an apology and resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on BR in Rajya Sabha during the Constitution debate.
BJP MP Pratap Sarangi Injured During Protest Outside ParliamentBJP MP Pratap Sarangi injured during protest, taken to hospital. While sitting on a wheelchair, he alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who fell on him following which Mr Sarangi fell.
INDIA Bloc Holds Protest March At Babasaheb Ambedkar Statue In The Parliament Complex
Ambedkar Row: Opposition Members Protest Outside Assembly In Nagpur
Parliament Winter Session Update: BJP MPs Protest In Parliament
BJP MPs protest in Parliament, alleging insult of BR Ambedkar by Congress party.
Parliament Winter Session Update
INDIA bloc to protest march to Makar Dwar, demanding apology and resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on BR Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha.
Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Slams BJP For Tampering With BR Ambedkar's PhotoIn response to BJP editing BR Ambedkar's photo and replacing it with Soros' in a social media post, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said it is an "insult to Baba Saheb."
"This is the same mentality which damages Baba Saheb's statues installed at various places. This is an insult to Baba Saheb. This is an insult to the Constitution maker," she said while speaking to the media.
Earlier in the day, BJP shared a photo on its official X handle which shows INDIA Bloc MPs holding the photo of George Soros during their protest in the Parliament.
"Dr Ambedkar Liberated India": Kamal HaasanJoining the Ambedkar row, Kamal Haasan said modern India is built on the building blocks of Ambedkar's ideas. "While Gandhiji freed India from foreign oppression, Dr. Ambedkar liberated India from its own ancient shackles of social injustice," he wrote.
He said that whoever believes in Dr Ambedkar's vision won't tolerate his legacy being tarnished. "Every Indian who proudly believes and fights for Babasaheb's vision of free and just India, where all are born equal, will never tolerate the great man's legacy to be tarnished," he said.
"Is Standing Up For Dr Ambedkar Against Insult To Him A Joke For BJP?": Congress' KC VenugopalCongress MP KC Venugopal reacted to a photo shared by the BJP on its official handle on X which shows INDIA Bloc MPs holding the photo of George Soros during their protest in the Parliament.
The Opposition MPs including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Sanjay Singh on Wednesday held a protest by carrying Dr BR Ambedkar's photo in their hands.
Congress' Venugopal posted on X, "The BJP is brazen in its insult and ridicule of Dr Ambedkar. Instead of submitting ensuring the Home Minister is removed from his post for the immense hurt caused to the crores of Babasaheb's followers by Amit Shah's statements, they are doubling down on the ridicule. Is standing up for Dr. Ambedkar against the insult to him a matter of joke for the BJP? They are bringing in their rotten falsehoods even on a sensitive matter like Dr Ambedkar's legacy, because they do not respect him and want to diminish his stature for their narrow political goals."
Parliament Winter Session Update: "BJP Working Towards Dr BR Ambedkar’s Vision Of Equality," Says Yogi AdityanathUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took it to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and slammed Congress for failing to empower "backward communities".
"BJP has been actively working towards Dr BR Ambedkar's vision of equality. Through steps like expanding reservations and creating opportunities in education and government jobs, BJP is turning Baba Saheb's vision into real policies, shaping lives. Congress, on the other hand, continues to talk but does nothing," he wrote.
Parliament Winter Session Update: Congress MP K Suresh Demands Home Minister Amit Shah's Resignation
Parliament Winter Session Update: Congress' Adjournment Motion Notice Over Amit Shah's RemarksCongress MP Manickam Tagore has given an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha to discuss Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks regarding Dr BR Ambedkar which allegedly insulted the architect of Indian Constitution.
Following the protest over Mr Shah's remarks, Congress has demanded:
- Immediate apology
- Resignation