In a bid to uphold decorum and ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday issued strict directives prohibiting any political party, Member of Parliament (MP), or group of MPs from holding dharnas (protests) or demonstrations at the gates of Parliament House.
The directive, which applies to all gates of the building, aims to safeguard the sanctity of Parliament and prevent disruptions to its proceedings. “No member, group of members, or political parties shall hold any dharna or demonstration at any of the gates of Parliament House,” according to a report from Indian Express.
Earlier in the day, a controversy erupted following a heated confrontation between Opposition and NDA MPs in the Parliament premises, reportedly stemming from an insult to B.R. Ambedkar. The BJP alleged that two of its MPs, Pratap Chandra Sarangi from Balasore in Odisha and Mukesh Rajput from Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, were injured after allegedly being pushed by Opposition MPs during protests over the Ambedkar issue. BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi claimed he was hurt when Gandhi pushed a senior BJP member, causing Sarangi to fall.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly called the two injured MPs, who were taken to RML Hospital, to enquire about their health. Rajput is said to have been admitted to the ICU.
Subsequently, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others in connection with the scuffle that occurred outside Parliament. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha was booked under multiple sections of the BNS, including 117 (voluntary causing grievous hurt), 115 (voluntary causing hurt), 125 (act of endangering life or personal safety of others), 131 (use of criminal force), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intention).
Responding to the allegations, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a press conference, stating, “We were peacefully protesting in a line, but they stopped us at the Makar Dwar gate. To show their muscle power, they brought many male MPs. We had our female MPs with us, and they were also stopped.” Kharge further claimed that BJP MPs attacked Congress leaders, causing him to lose his balance. “I’m in no condition to push anyone. I couldn’t handle my balance, and I sat down. Now they are alleging we pushed them,” he said.
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