New Delhi [India], December 19 : Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Thursday lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his allegation of him committing "physical assault," saying that he is the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and should understand his responsibility. He said that Gandhi didn't even go to see the condition of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pratap Sarangi who was left injured.
"Vo (Rahul Gandhi) toh shareerik pradarshan...dhakka mukki karte hue aye (He came and started the scuffle, showing physical strength). He shouldn't have done such a thing. He is the LoP and should understand his responsibility. He didn't even go to see the condition of Sarangi," Meghwal, who is the Union Law Minister, told ANI.
The Union Minister further informed that two of the BJP MPs including Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput sustained "serious" injuries amid a scuffle between MPs from both BJP and opposition parties. Meghwal added that at least four MPs have complained about the scuffle.
"Two of our MPs - Pratap Sarangi from Odisha and Mukesh Rajput from Uttar Pradesh...two of our leaders have sustained serious injuries. There are others also who have been pushed around. At least four to five MPs have complained about this. The opposition has been protesting at the Makar Dwar since the (winter) session started...Today for the first time BJP-NDA members protested. They (the opposition) thought that it was their right only. All the MPs have the right to protest," Mehgwal said.
He accused Congress of diverting attention from the Constitution debate in the Parliament where they were left exposed with regards to Dr Ambedkar.
"They (Congress) have always done injustice to Babasaheb (Ambedkar). They wanted to divert the attention from their expose after the debate (in the Parliament) and thus, released a 10-second video of Amit Shah...They have always insulted him...We will take action as per the report from the hospital..." Meghwal said.
This comes amid a fresh controversy where BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi alleged that he was hurt after getting a push from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Sarangi claimed that he was standing on stairs when another member of Parliament fell on him, leading to an injury on his head.
The BJP MP was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for treatment in an ambulance. BJP MP Mukesh Rajput was also injured during the protests and he has also been admitted to the RML hospital.
Reacting to this, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in his defence, said that he was trying to get inside the Parliament when he was also pushed and threatened by the BJP MPs who were protesting near the entrance. He also alleged that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge was also pushed.
Medical Superintendent Ajay Shukla said that both of the leaders suffered head injuries and have been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Shukla also said that they are trying to stabilize both (Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput).
On Thursday morning, the Parliament witnessed parallel protests from both the Treasury and Opposition benches outside parliament. The ruling BJP MPs were protesting in the Parliament's premises against the Congress party for "insulting" Babasaheb Ambedkar.
INDIA Bloc MPs led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi held a protest on Thursday in the Parliament premises and demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed adjournments, earlier on Wednesday, with the Congress and other opposition members protesting against remarks of Home Minister Amit Shah relating to BR Ambedkar during his attack on Congress in his speech in Rajya Sabha.
The issue snowballed into a major political controversy with the Congress seeking the resignation of Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders attacking the opposition party.