Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were disrupted on Thursday, as heated exchanges over alleged remarks on B.R. Ambedkar and related incidents led to their adjournment for the day.
In the Rajya Sabha, turmoil erupted after Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Kiren Rijiju accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of using force against women BJP MPs near the Parliament entry steps. When the House reconvened at 2 p.m., BJP members demanded an apology from Gandhi.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar attempted to bring order, stating he was reviewing the BJP’s complaint.
However, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva pointed out that the complaint presented only one side, adding that Gandhi alleged he was pushed by BJP MPs. Amid slogans from both sides, the Chairman adjourned proceedings for the day.
In the Lok Sabha, opposition protests over Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar led to an early adjournment.
The morning session was suspended shortly after it began as opposition members demanded an apology from Shah. Persistent protests throughout the day saw the House adjourned after reconvening briefly for less than five minutes.
The government’s plan to introduce a resolution referring two bills on simultaneous elections to a joint committee remained unfulfilled amid the disruption.
Meanwhile, tensions spilled over outside Parliament.
A confrontation between opposition and NDA MPs over Shah’s remarks left former minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi and another BJP MP injured. BJP leaders accused Gandhi of pushing the senior member, which he denied.
The political impasse intensified on Wednesday, with the Congress-led opposition demanding Shah’s resignation, accusing him of disrespecting Ambedkar.
BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defended Shah, accusing the Congress of misrepresenting his remarks. Modi also criticised the Congress, alleging a historical pattern of insult towards Ambedkar.
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