New Delhi:

The Congress vs BJP protest war – over Home Minister Amit Shah’s “Ambedkar is the fashion” quip in the Rajya Sabha – moved to the Parliament Street Police Station Thursday afternoon, with MPs from the two parties trading complaints and allegations of physical assault of their women leaders.

Women MPs from the Congress marched on the police station to file their complaints.

“Today, a conspiracy was hatched by the ruling dispensation. BJP MPs… the way they treated Mallikarjun Khargeji, Priyanka Gandhiji and other women MPs is unfortunate. They (BJP MPs) wanted to create a scene there and that is what they did…” the Congress’ Jebi Mather told news agency ANI.

This was shortly after the BJP’s Nagaland MP – Phangnon Konyak – accused the Congress’ Rahul Gandhi of misbehaving with her as she and her colleagues were carrying out their protest. In a letter to Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge, she said Mr Gandhi had “misbehaved with her in a loud voice and his physical proximity… was so close that I, being a lady MP, felt extremely uncomfortable”.

“I was standing just below the staircase of the Makar Dawar (the Parliament’s main entrance) with a placard in my hand… suddenly the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Gandhi), with other party members, came in front of me despite there being a passage created for them (to enter the building).”

“I stepped aside with (a) heavy heart and denouncing my democratic right but felt that no Member of Parliament should behave this way,” she said in a letter to Rajya Sabha Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Phangnon Konyak says, “LoP Rahul Gandhi came close… I did not like it and he started shouting…Whatever happened today is very sad, this should not happen. We did not like the way they threatened…I have also complained to the Chairman…” https://t.co/d83HUvwQFlpic.twitter.com/oGtaja66le

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024

Ms Konyak’s letter provided further fuel for the BJP’s attack today on the Congress and Mr Gandhi, whom they have also accused of shoving and injuring two of its MPs. The BJP’s Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj marched on the same police station earlier to file a case against Rahul Gandhi.

In an increasingly out-of-control sequence of events, the Congress responded to that charge by claiming that three BJP MPs had “physically manhandled” Mr Gandhi while he and his party colleagues were peacefully marching from a statue of Ambedkar in the Parliament complex.

“Their conduct was not only a blatant assault on the personal dignity of Rahul Gandhi but antithetical to the democratic spirit of our parliament,” the Congress said, calling on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to “treat this matter with utmost seriousness and take appropriate action”.

READ | Parliament Protests Turn Into Injury vs Injury Claims By BJP, Congress

Earlier today chaos erupted outside Parliament as the BJP and the opposition, led by the Congress, mounted protests and counterprotests over Mr Shah’s remark on Dr Ambedkar.

During the chaos two BJP MPs – Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput – were injured. Mr Sarangi said he fell and hurt his head after Mr Gandhi pushed a third person who then fell on him.

VIDEO | Rahul Approaches BJP MP Who Fell During Protest, This Happens

Mr Gandhi responded strongly, telling reporters it was, in fact, some BJP MPs who were blocking his entry into Parliament, and that they were shoving him. Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge also hit back; the 82-year-old, who has had knee replacement surgery, said he too had been injured.

The BJP – under fire from the opposition over Mr Shah’s remarks, heavy enough for even the Prime Minister to respond – has pounced on the injuries to its MPs and accused Mr Gandhi of using force against its ranks; Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju lashed out at the Congress leader.

In a sarcastic quip aimed at Mr Gandhi – who holds a black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art – he said, “Have you learnt karate, kung fu, to beat other MPs?”

Amit Shah’s “Ambedkar” Remark Row

On Monday, in concluding remarks on a two-day debate on the Constitution, Mr Shah had said, “It has become the fashion to say ‘Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar…’ If they (the opposition) took God’s name so many times, they will get a place in heaven.”

The remark triggered a furious pushback from the opposition, with the Congress and the Samajwadi Party leading the charge, and demanding Mr Shah apologise and resign his post. Meanwhile, the Trinamool and the Congress have moved privilege motions against Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha.

READ | “If PM Respects Ambedkar…”: Congress’ Kharge Targets Amit Shah

On Wednesday evening a combative Mr Shah – Prime Minister Modi’s No 2 – seemed to take the unusual step of publicly defending his statement, declaring his rivals had “distorted facts” after being stung by “examples of how the Constitution was attacked and wounded by the Congress”.

READ | “Congress Anti-Ambedkar, Twisted My Words”: Amit Shah Responds

The Prime Minister has also spoken out, declaring, “If the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think malicious lies can hide their misdeeds… especially insult towards Dr Ambedkar, they are mistaken!”

With input from agencies

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New Delhi:

In a display of nostalgia, 10 women parliamentarians shared their memories, messages and experiences of the old Parliament building in handwritten notes as they prepared to bid farewell to the structure ahead of a move into the new complex during the upcoming session.

The MPs representing various political parties offered heartfelt tributes to the building that has been the epicentre of India’s democratic journey.

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, in her note, recounted her journey within the hallowed halls of the old Parliament building.

“From an awed visitor in 2006 to a first-time MP in 2009, then a first-time minister in 2014, these 144 pillars in this temple of democracy hold a multitude of memories for me,” she said.

The “beautiful building, embellished with the history and handiwork of thousands of Indian artists, sculptors and labourers has been a place of intense learning and immense satisfaction”, Badal added.

Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena (UBT) echoed her sentiment.

“Memories. Learnings. Policy Making. Friendships. History and the sheer beauty of this architectural marvel that has seen intense debates and disruptions,” she shared in her note.

“Stalwarts and history makers all work in its precincts. Parliament that has shaped 75 years of our journey as a confident nation. Proud to be a part of this journey and hoping the essence of this parliament continues in the new building,” Chaturvedi said.

Union Minister and Apna Dal (S) MP Anupriya Patel recalled in her note her first steps into Sansad Bhavan.

“I could feel deep within that I am entering a historic building, which saw India gaining its Independence on 15 August, 1947, the framing of our Constitution and the evolution and strengthening of our country’s democratic institutions,” she said in her note.

BJP MP Poonam Mahajan expressed her thoughts poetically, saying, “Antim jay ka vajra banane, Nav Dadhichi haddiyan galaayein. Aao phir se diya jalaayein.” Mahua Moitra of the TMC said the building “will always have a special place in my heart, as does anyone’s first home”.

“This great Hall embraced us all, both treasury and opposition. And helped us find our own little corners in its cocoon. The building may change but its symbolism — a free space for freely elected representatives of a free country — is what is incumbent upon us all to preserve intact,” she added in her note.

Union Minister and BJP MP Smriti Irani shared her “Best Wishes!” in her note.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule, on the other hand, expressed her gratitude to the people of Maharashtra and the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency for giving her the opportunity to attend sessions at the Building.

“Blessed and gratitude to the people of Maharashtra and Baramati for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the largest democracy in the world and attending sessions in the old beautiful Parliament building — echoes the voices of the leaders who contributed to the development of our beautiful country,” she wrote in her note.

Congress MP Ramya Haridas reminisced about the building’s significance, calling it the “palace of democracy” and the “birthplace of strong decisions”.

She emphasised its historical importance and lasting memories.

Independent MP from Amravati Navneet Rana said she cherished her time in the old building and remarked, “First time when I was entering Parliament was a great memory for me. This Parliament gave me an opportunity to learn a lot of things. It’s a real temple of democracy.” Rajya Sabha MP and legenday sprinter PT Usha shared her unique perspective.

She recalled her visits to Parliament House and the warm reception she received from fellow parliamentarians, emphasising their support and cooperation.

“First time I visited this elegant Parliament House in the year 1986 after my rich gold medal haul at Seoul as a spectator. That time still remember that all the Honourable MPs congratulating me and gave best wishes. After that too I visited two or three times with some special purpose. But on 20th July, 2022, was a very special day for me. First time in my life I stepped into the Rajya Sabha with my right leg, touched the step with my right hand and chanted ‘Hari Om’ in my lips (sic),” she said.

A session of Parliament is set to begin on Monday amid an intense buzz on whether the government will have some surprise item up its sleeve during the five-day sitting that will see a discussion on Parliament’s 75-year journey and House proceedings moving to the new building.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)