Congress MP Pramod Tiwari strongly criticized the BJP over the scuffle that broke out in Parliament on Thursday. He accused the ruling party of orchestrating a “thought-out conspiracy” to block opposition MPs from entering Parliament and stop their peaceful protest.
Tiwari alleged that the BJP deliberately tried to prevent opposition MPs, including Mallikarjun Kharge, from entering Parliament. He explained that the opposition had planned a peaceful march towards the Ambedkar statue and then proceed to Makar Dwar before entering the House. However, Tiwari claimed that BJP MPs blocked the entrance at Makar Dwar, halting their progress.
Tiwari questioned the legitimacy of the BJP’s actions, asking, “Who authorized BJP MPs to block our entry?” He also criticized the ruling party for disrespecting the legacy of BR Ambedkar and for undermining the role of the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge. He emphasized the disrespect shown to the opposition and the violation of their right to protest.
#WATCH | Delhi | Outside Sansad Marg PS, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari says, "The way a Dalit leader was abused the day before yesterday and today he was pushed- this is all a conspiracy." pic.twitter.com/OyVeRyUgWJ
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024
Tiwari outlined the “three key points” of the BJP’s actions. He stated that the opposition’s plan was to march peacefully to the Ambedkar statue, proceed to Makar Dwar, and then enter Parliament. However, he claimed that BJP MPs blocked their way, carrying sticks, while the opposition MPs were only holding banners. Tiwari questioned, “Who permitted the ruling party to stop us?”
He also pointed out that senior leaders like Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were leading the opposition MPs, and their peaceful march was disrupted. According to Tiwari, the actions of the BJP MPs were a direct insult to the legacy of Ambedkar and the opposition.
Congress MP Mukul Wasnik also spoke out about the incident, condemning the BJP’s behavior at Makar Dwar. He described how BJP MPs physically blocked Kharge’s way, causing him physical pain. Wasnik said that Kharge fell and got injured because of BJP MPs’ actions, and they had come to the Parliament Street Police Station to lodge a complaint.
Wasnik further explained that the opposition MPs had planned a peaceful protest in front of the Ambedkar statue, followed by a march towards Makar Dwar. However, BJP MPs were stationed at Makar Dwar to obstruct their path. He expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Modi, saying they had expected action against Home Minister Amit Shah for his controversial remarks about BR Ambedkar.
Earlier in the day, Tiwari condemned the BJP’s actions, accusing them of “murdering democracy.” He compared their behavior to a “terrorist attack” on Parliament, saying that BJP MPs deliberately blocked the entrance, preventing opposition MPs from performing their parliamentary duties. Tiwari claimed that, during the confrontation, Mallikarjun Kharge was pushed, fell, and injured his knee. He remarked, “Today, BJP has murdered democracy.”
Tiwari criticized the BJP for the unprecedented act of blocking the entrance to Parliament and likened it to the actions of terrorists. He also pointed out that when a BJP MP fell, Rahul Gandhi went to check on his condition, but the actions of the BJP MPs were still condemned.
The altercation between BJP and opposition MPs has sparked widespread outrage. The opposition accused the BJP of undermining democratic principles. Both NDA and INDIA bloc MPs protested within Parliament premises, which led to a scuffle between the two sides. During the commotion, two BJP MPs were injured.
BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi also addressed the media, claiming that he was injured after a push from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Sarangi explained that he was standing near the stairs when another MP fell on him. He said, “Rahul Gandhi pushed a member of Parliament who fell on me, after which I fell down.” Sarangi was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the ICU along with another BJP MP.
Medical Superintendent Ajay Shukla confirmed that both MPs had suffered head injuries and were being treated at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
