FIR against Rahul is a symbol of govt’s desperation: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

The INDIA bloc staged a protest march from Vijay Chowk to Parliament on Friday, 20 December 2024, demanding an apology from and resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Dr B.R. Ambedkar, which they labelled as "derogatory" and "unacceptable."

The Opposition alliance's protest also condemned the FIR filed against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, stating it was a "diversionary tactic" by the BJP to shift focus from HM Shah's comments.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the FIR filed against leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is a "symbol of government's desperation" and claimed the BJP is indulging in distraction as it knows that the country will not tolerate its "insult" of B.R. Ambedkar.

The BJP knows that its real feelings about Ambedkar are out in the open and therefore it is afraid of the Opposition which is raising this issue, the Congress general secretary said in an obvious reference to Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha.

"This government is scared. This government is scared of a debate on the Adani issue, they are scared of any debate. They know their real feelings for Ambedkar ji are out in the open and therefore they are afraid of the Opposition because we are raising this issue," she told reporters in Parliament premises after the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die.

She asserted that national interest is connected with the issue of the insult inflicted on Ambedkar.

"Our Constitution has been provided by Dr Ambedkar, the people of the country and the freedom struggle, and the country will not tolerate his insult," she said.

Asked about the FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi said, "This is a symbol of government's desperation. They have become so desperate that they are lodging false FIRs. Rahul ji can never push anyone, I am his sister I know him, he can never do such a thing."

The country also knows it and is seeing how desperate the BJP has become that they are filing these arbitrary FIRs because they do not want a discussion on Adani and they know the country will not tolerate the manner in which they have insulted Ambedkar, she said.

"That is why they are indulging in distraction," Priyanka Gandhi added.

Police on Thursday registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, hours after the BJP filed a complaint, accusing him of physical assault and incitement" during a scuffle in Parliament premises.

A police officer said the FIR has been registered under sections 115 (voluntary causing hurt), 117 (voluntary causing grievous hurt), 125 (act of endangering life or personal safety of others), 131 (use of criminal force), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The officer said police are likely to call Gandhi for questioning in connection with the case.

Police will request the Lok Sabha Secretariat to provide the CCTV footage of the area where the alleged incident happened.

On Thursday, separate marches by opposition and ruling party MPs over the alleged insult to Ambedkar led to jostling in Parliament premises, leaving BJP MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput injured.

The BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing the senior member, a charge rejected by the Congress leader.

The Opposition on Wednesday had seized on Shah's remarks on Ambedkar to corner the government and demanded his resignation for what they called was an insult to the architect of the Constitution.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari accused the BJP of misuse of power.

"We also filed an FIR, but it wasn't registered. This is a sheer misuse of power. Even if they resort to lathi charges, we will not stop protesting. Insults to Dr Ambedkar will not be tolerated," he told IANS.

Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav defended Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and told IANS, "He is the leader of Opposition and would never engage in such actions."

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed HM Shah's refusal to apologise, calling it evidence of the BJP's "true stance" on Dr Ambedkar.

"It shows the fragile ego of Amit Shah that he is not apologising. The country has now seen his stance on Ambedkar. A 12-second video encapsulates Shah's 90-minute speech, showing their (BJP's) disdain for Dr Ambedkar despite their claims of respect," she said.

Speaking to IANS, Congress MP Vivek Tankha termed the Union Home Minister's remarks "shocking" and called for an apology.

Commenting on the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, he said, "The claim that Rahul Gandhi hurt someone is laughable. When this matter reaches court, it will be evident how baseless it is."

Congress MP Imran Masood alleged the FIR against Gandhi was a distraction.

"This is their (BJP) diversionary tactic to shift focus from the disrespect shown to Baba Saheb. Rahul Gandhi is not someone who can be intimidated," he told IANS.

JMM MP Mahua Maji called for public release of Parliament CCTV footage to clarify the situation. "Rahul Gandhi is a senior and mature leader. This is a conspiracy aimed at diverting attention," she said.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan stressed the peaceful nature of their protest.

"Today, we will march and return to the House peacefully. The Home Minister's remarks against Dr Ambedkar are condemnable. If HM Shah respected Dr Ambedkar, he would have apologised to prevent this situation from escalating," she stated.