In order to uphold decorum and ensure the seamless functioning of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday issued a directive prohibiting political parties, Members of Parliament (MPs), or groups of MPs from holding protests or demonstrations at the gates of Parliament House.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat released a statement emphasizing the importance of preserving the sanctity of Parliament. “No member, group of members, or political parties shall hold any dharna or demonstration at any of the gates of Parliament House,” the statement read.
The directive followed a heated altercation between opposition and NDA MPs on Parliament premises, reportedly stemming from remarks concerning BR Ambedkar. The confrontation allegedly resulted in injuries to two BJP MPs, Pratap Chandra Sarangi from Odisha and Mukesh Rajput from Uttar Pradesh. Sarangi accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of pushing a senior BJP MP, causing him to fall and sustain injuries. Both injured MPs were admitted to RML Hospital, with Rajput reportedly in the ICU.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly called the injured MPs to check on their condition.
Later, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi and others involved in the scuffle. Charges include voluntary causing grievous hurt (Section 117), criminal intimidation (Section 351), and acts endangering personal safety (Section 125), among others.