Omar Abdullah Defends Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Omar Abdullah, Congress ally and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, defended Rahul Gandhi today after a BJP MP alleged that senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was responsible for his injuries during a brawl outside the parliament building. 

Protests ruled parliament today over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s “fashion” remark on BR Ambedkar. The Congress claimed a group of MPs had tried to bar Mr Gandhi’s entry into parliament. It apparently led to a brawl, in which, the BJP claimed, two of its MPs were injured and alleged that Mr Gandhi was the instigator.

“Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who fell on me after which I fell down,” said BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi. “I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi came and pushed an MP who then fell on me,” added the leader, who was taken to the hospital for first aid.

“I know Rahul, he would not push anyone much less a member of parliament. It’s simply not in his nature to be rude or nasty to anyone,” posted Omar Abdullah on X after Mr Sarangi’s allegations were widely circulated on social media. 

I know Rahul, he would not push anyone much less a member of parliament. It’s simply not in his nature to be rude or nasty to anyone. https://t.co/t0zCaQRvHT

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 19, 2024

A police case has been filed against the Congress leader.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju was the loudest to condemn Mr Gandhi, who holds a black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art. 

“Under which law does he have the power to physically assault other MPs? Have you learnt karate, kung fu, to beat other MPs?” he said. Demanding an apology from the Congress leader, he said, “Parliament is not a wrestling arena”.