Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the FIR filed against her brother, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, as a "symbol of government's desperation." She claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using this as a distraction, knowing that the public will not tolerate the party’s alleged disrespect towards Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
Speaking to reporters after the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, Priyanka accused the BJP of being fearful of a debate on the Adani issue, as well as the growing attention on their handling of Ambedkar's legacy. "This government is scared. They are afraid of any discussion," she said. "The real sentiments of the BJP regarding Ambedkar are now exposed, and that's why they fear the Opposition raising this issue."
She went on to emphasize that the matter is of national interest. "Dr. Ambedkar gave us the Constitution. The nation will not tolerate any insult to him," Priyanka stated.
In response to the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka expressed her disbelief. She strongly siad, "This is a sign of desperation, te BJP is filing false FIRs. Rahul Gandhi can never do such a thing. the entire country knows it too.
Priyanka further highlighted that the BJP's actions are attempts to avoid discussion on crucial issues like Adani and their treatment of Ambedkar. "They are filing these arbitrary FIRs because they don't want to discuss the Adani issue or the insult to Ambedkar," she added.
The FIR against Rahul Gandhi was registered yesterday, December 19 after the BJP filed a complaint accusing him of physical assault and incitement during a confrontation on Parliament grounds. The police have filed the case, including those related to causing harm and criminal intimidation. An officer said that Rahul Gandhi may be called in for questioning.
The police also plan to request CCTV footage from the Lok Sabha Secretariat to investigate the incident further.
The controversy erupted after separate marches by opposition and ruling party MPs on Thursday led to a scuffle over the alleged insult to Ambedkar, which left BJP MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput injured. The BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing Sarangi, an allegation that the Congress leader has denied.
Earlier, the Opposition had taken issue with Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about Ambedkar, demanding his resignation for what they viewed as an insult to the architect of India’s Constitution.