New Delhi, December 20, 2024 – The 20th day of the Winter Session of the Indian Parliament was marked by escalating political tensions. An FIR (First Information Report) was filed against Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, after a violent altercation outside Parliament. This incident, which led to injuries among two BJP MPs, has added fuel to the already heated political atmosphere between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. As the session nears its end, these developments, along with the controversy surrounding Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, are expected to dominate political discussions.
The FIR Against Rahul Gandhi
On Day 20 of the Winter Session, the Delhi Police filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi. The police accused him of inciting a violent clash outside Parliament. The altercation involved scuffles between BJP and Congress MPs. BJP leaders claimed that Congress MPs physically assaulted them, while Congress MPs argued that the BJP started the fight. Two BJP MPs were injured during the scuffle.
The Congress party quickly rejected these charges, calling the FIR a political attack. Rahul Gandhi argued that the ruling BJP was using the police to target opposition leaders. He also suggested that the FIR was a tactic to distract from the growing controversy over Amit Shah’s recent comments on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Amit Shah’s Controversial Comments on Ambedkar
The controversy began on December 17, 2024, during a Rajya Sabha debate. Home Minister Amit Shah made controversial remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who is known as the architect of India’s Constitution. Shah said, “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God’s name as many times, they would have earned a place in heaven.”
Opposition leaders, especially those from Congress, reacted strongly. They accused Shah of disrespecting Ambedkar. His words were seen as an insult to the man who fought for social justice and the rights of Dalits. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, called for Shah’s resignation and demanded an apology.
Congress Defends Rahul Gandhi
After the filing of the FIR, the Congress party came out in strong support of Rahul Gandhi. KC Venugopal, the Congress General Secretary, criticized the FIR. He argued that it was part of a larger plan by the BJP to suppress opposition voices. He said that the BJP wanted to distract from the real issues, like Shah’s comments on Ambedkar.
Venugopal also pointed out that Gandhi had been speaking out for the rights of marginalized communities, including Dalits, OBCs, and other backward classes. He framed the filing of the FIR as political revenge, designed to silence Congress leaders.
Alleged Bias in Police Actions
The Congress also raised concerns about the Delhi Police’s impartiality. They claimed that the police had acted too quickly in filing the FIR against Rahul Gandhi. However, when Congress women MPs complained about BJP leaders physically assaulting them, the police had not acted with the same urgency. This, according to the Congress, showed a bias in how law enforcement was handling the situation.
Protests and Tensions Outside Parliament
Following the filing of the FIR, Congress MPs held protests outside Parliament. They demanded an apology from Amit Shah for his remarks about Ambedkar. These protests were, however, banned by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who cited concerns over growing tensions. Despite this, the protests continued. Congress leaders emphasized their commitment to defending Ambedkar’s legacy and questioned the BJP’s attitude toward him.
BJP’s Defense of Amit Shah
On the other side, BJP leaders defended Amit Shah. They argued that his remarks were misinterpreted and that he never intended to insult Ambedkar. Shah himself clarified that his comments were aimed at criticizing the Congress for ignoring Ambedkar’s contributions.
The BJP also accused the Congress of misusing Ambedkar’s name for political gain. They suggested that the Congress had historically neglected Ambedkar’s work and that it had been anti-reservation. BJP leaders emphasized that their party had done more to honor Ambedkar’s legacy.
The Scuffle Outside Parliament: An Escalating Conflict
The scuffle outside Parliament escalated quickly. Both the BJP and Congress accused each other of starting the fight. While the Congress claimed that the BJP MPs were the aggressors, the BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi and his colleagues provoked the violence. The situation became chaotic, with MPs from both parties calling for action against the individuals involved in the clash.
The One Nation, One Election Bill
As the Winter Session approaches its end, the BJP is planning to introduce a crucial bill: One Nation, One Election. This proposal seeks to hold state and national elections at the same time, thereby saving costs and reducing the frequency of elections. The BJP argues that this will streamline the electoral process and improve governance.
However, opposition parties, particularly the Congress, are concerned. They argue that such a system could undermine the autonomy of state governments and lead to a centralization of power. They also argue that it may hurt smaller, regional parties that rely on local elections to gain influence.
Growing Divisions in Parliament
The Winter Session of Parliament has been marked by rising political tensions. The altercation outside Parliament, along with the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and the controversy surrounding Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar, has divided the political landscape. The Congress continues to challenge the BJP, demanding action over Shah’s comments and the handling of the FIR. Meanwhile, the BJP remains firm in defending its stance and shifting the narrative toward Congress’s own record.
As the Winter Session nears its conclusion, the political climate in India remains highly charged. The outcome of the One Nation, One Election proposal could further increase the divide between the ruling party and the opposition. With both sides entrenched in their positions, the coming weeks will be crucial for shaping India’s political future.
