India’s Parliament, once a revered arena for the exchange of ideas, seems to be sinking further into disrepute with yet another unfortunate incident. The recent brawl, which led to serious allegations of assault against the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is a troubling sign of the chaos afflicting our democratic institutions. While political confrontations are not new, the physical scuffle that injured two BJP MPs, including 69-year-old Sarangi, raises urgent questions about accountability and decorum.
On the surface, the story appears simple: a heated debate spiralled into violence, leaving Sarangi and another BJP MP hospitalized. The BJP quickly framed the incident as a premeditated assault orchestrated by Rahul Gandhi. However, I believe the situation demands a deeper, more nuanced look as the cases registered against Rahul Gandhi are serious and may lead even life imprisonment.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage suggest that the altercation began during a heated verbal exchange between members of both parties. Tempers flared, leading to pushing and shoving. While injuries occurred, pinning the blame squarely on Rahul Gandhi seems politically motivated. As someone who has consistently emphasized democratic values and non-violence, Gandhi’s alleged role feels more like a convenient narrative than a credible accusation. It appears the BJP is using this incident to divert attention from more pressing national issues.
What I find even more disturbing is how selectively such incidents are addressed. History is full of examples of unruly parliamentary behavior—from shouting matches to paper-throwing—often involving members across party lines. Rarely, however, have these actions resulted in criminal charges. The swift filing of cases against Gandhi smacks of selective outrage rather than genuine concern for parliamentary discipline.
Take, for instance, past instances where BJP leaders have been accused of disruptive behavior. Consequences have typically been limited to temporary suspensions or verbal admonishments. Why is this particular case being treated with disproportionate severity? Such glaring double standards undermine the principles of fairness and justice upon which our democracy is built.
To me, this incident is symptomatic of a deeper malaise—the erosion of constructive dialogue in Indian democracy. Instead of tackling critical issues like economic instability, unemployment, or healthcare, parliamentary sessions are increasingly dominated by theatrics and accusations. The BJP’s relentless focus on portraying Rahul Gandhi as a villain serves only to distract from its own governance failures.
The broader implications are alarming. Incidents like this erode public trust in democratic institutions. When Parliament becomes a battleground, it sends a dangerous message: if leaders resort to violence to settle disputes, what example are they setting for the rest of society?
In my view, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for all political parties. We urgently need an impartial inquiry to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable, irrespective of their political affiliation. This moment demands systemic reforms to restore the dignity of Parliament—stricter rules for disruptive behavior and regular conflict-resolution training for members are essential steps.
I believe the onus lies on political leaders to rise above partisan politics and prioritize the nation’s interests. For Rahul Gandhi, this is an opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to democratic values by cooperating fully with investigations, especially since the charges against him, under the new Nyaya Palika provisions, carry the potential for life imprisonment. Simultaneously, he must continue advocating for issues that matter to the public. For the BJP, this is a chance to exhibit true statesmanship by addressing the root causes of parliamentary dysfunction rather than exploiting them for political gains.
As usual, the winter session of Parliament ended in yet another washout. The Congress-led Opposition initially protested the government’s refusal to debate issues surrounding business tycoon Gautam Adani, later accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of allegedly insulting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during a heated discussion on the Indian Constitution. Meanwhile, the BJP-led treasury benches not only countered and criticized the Congress but, for the first time, brought up allegations involving Congress and U.S. billionaire George Soros in attempts to destabilize a democratically elected government.
Overall, this session proved to be another drain on the public exchequer, with meaningful discussions largely absent. The Congress’s rigid stance on Gautam Adani also exposed cracks within the Indi Alliance. To many, this appeared to be yet another self-goal by the Congress, revealing their ambiguous stance on the legacy of the Constitution’s architect, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
