Pushing Around An MP Not 'Mardangi'
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a sharp attack on Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of injuring two BJP MPs during a scuffle in Parliament. The incident occurred on Thursday during a protest at one of the gates of Parliament over Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Dr. BR Ambedkar. BJP claims that Gandhi’s actions led to BJP MP Mukesh Rajput falling on fellow MP Pratap Sarangi, injuring both of them. The two MPs were hospitalized following the altercation.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Rijiju said that pushing an MP was not a sign of masculinity, describing the incident as “avoidable.” He criticized Rahul Gandhi for engaging in physical confrontations in Parliament, a place meant for dialogue and debate, not violence. “There are heated exchanges in words in Parliament, but when an incident leads to injury and a police case, it’s very unfortunate,” Rijiju remarked. He further pointed out that Gandhi, despite being a black belt in Aikido, should have focused on self-defense rather than resorting to aggression.
Rijiju also mocked Gandhi, asking, “Have you learnt karate, kung fu, to beat other MPs?” He clarified that martial arts should be used for fitness and self-defense, not for aggression. He added, “Rahul Gandhi coming to Parliament in t-shirts and pushing around an old, fragile MP, that is not ‘mardangi’ (masculinity). Muscle power is not the symbol of a good parliamentarian.”
Gandhi, however, denied the allegations, asserting that it was BJP MPs who had obstructed him, and not he who pushed anyone. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also claimed he was pushed by BJP MPs, injuring his knee. Rijiju refuted this, asserting that the BJP MPs had been protesting peacefully and had not used their physical numbers for intimidation. He stated, “We did not use our numbers for physical advantage. Physical numbers are for voting, for running the house, not for hitting opponents.”
Rijiju further stated, “I never thought Rahul Gandhi would get into a physical mode like that. He started pushing around, and two of our aged MPs got injured. It’s very sad.” He also dismissed Kharge’s claims of injury, suggesting that the two BJP MPs were clearly pushed, with Gandhi being responsible for their injuries.
The issue highlights ongoing tensions in Parliament, where physical confrontations have occasionally overshadowed political debates.
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