New Delhi, India
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On Thursday, an FIR was registered against Gandhi at Parliament Street Police following a BJP’s complaint, accusing him of physical assault and incitement after MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured.
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.
“We have transferred the case from local police to the Crime Branch,” a senior officer said, adding that police are likely to record the statements of Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput and may also call Gandhi for questioning.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kuwait-among-indias-top-trading-partners-says-indian-foreign-ministry-ahead-of-pm-modis-historic-visit-785570" target="_blank">Kuwait among India's 'top trading partners,' says Indian foreign ministry ahead of PM Modi's historic visit</a>
Meanwhile, police have sought legal advice on registering a separate FIR in response to a complaint filed by the Congress, accusing BJP MPs of misbehaving with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on the Parliament premises.
“We are taking legal opinion if the Congress leaders’ complaint can be converted into the FIR,” another police officer said, adding that a decision on this will be taken soon.
Talking about the investigation in the case against Gandhi, the officer said police would seek access to CCTV footage of the area where the incident occurred and also reach out to media houses to inquire about any video evidence they may have.
Police will also recreate the scene of crime if required during the investigation, the source said.
On Thursday, BJP MP Hemang Joshi, accompanied by party colleagues Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, visited the Parliament Street police station and filed the complaint.
The Congress strongly rejected the claim, alleging that BJP MPs pushed Kharge and “physically manhandled” Gandhi.
The Congress also lodged a complaint in connection with the matter on Thursday.
A delegation of Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Rajiv Shukla and Pramod Tiwari, filed the complaint visiting the station in person.
After political protests turned ugly, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday banned demonstrations by MPs and political parties at any of the gates of Parliament, sources said.
“Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has issued strict instructions that no political party, Member of Parliament or groups of members will hold any dharna and demonstration at building gates of Parliament House,” parliament sources said.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

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.



New Delhi, India On Thursday, an FIR was registered against Gandhi at Parliament Street Police following a BJP’s complaint, accusing him of physical assault and incitement after MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured. 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. “We have transferred the case from local police to the Crime Branch,” a senior officer said, adding that police are likely to record the statements of Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput and may also call Gandhi for questioning. Also read: Kuwait among India's 'top trading partners,' says Indian foreign ministry ahead of PM Modi's historic visit Meanwhile, police have sought legal advice on registering a separate FIR in response to a complaint filed by the Congress, accusing BJP MPs of misbehaving with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on the Parliament premises. “We are taking legal opinion if the Congress leaders’ complaint can be converted into the FIR,” another police officer said, adding that a decision on this will be taken soon. Talking about the investigation in the case against Gandhi, the officer said police would seek access to CCTV footage of the area where the incident occurred and also reach out to media houses to inquire about any video evidence they may have. Police will also recreate the scene of crime if required during the investigation, the source said. On Thursday, BJP MP Hemang Joshi, accompanied by party colleagues Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, visited the Parliament Street police station and filed the complaint. The Congress strongly rejected the claim, alleging that BJP MPs pushed Kharge and “physically manhandled” Gandhi. The Congress also lodged a complaint in connection with the matter on Thursday. A delegation of Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Rajiv Shukla and Pramod Tiwari, filed the complaint visiting the station in person. After political protests turned ugly, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday banned demonstrations by MPs and political parties at any of the gates of Parliament, sources said. “Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has issued strict instructions that no political party, Member of Parliament or groups of members will hold any dharna and demonstration at building gates of Parliament House,” parliament sources said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Parliament scuffle: Delhi Police Crime Branch takes over case against Rahul Gandhi

On Thursday, an FIR was registered against Gandhi at Parliament Street Police following a BJP’s complaint, accusing him of physical assault and incitement after MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured.

On Thursday, an FIR was registered against Gandhi at Parliament Street Police following a BJP’s complaint, accusing him of physical assault and incitement after MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured. 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. “We have transferred the case from local police to the Crime Branch,” a senior officer said, adding that police are likely to record the statements of Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput and may also call Gandhi for questioning. Also read: Kuwait among India's 'top trading partners,' says Indian foreign ministry ahead of PM Modi's historic visit Meanwhile, police have sought legal advice on registering a separate FIR in response to a complaint filed by the Congress, accusing BJP MPs of misbehaving with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on the Parliament premises. “We are taking legal opinion if the Congress leaders’ complaint can be converted into the FIR,” another police officer said, adding that a decision on this will be taken soon. Talking about the investigation in the case against Gandhi, the officer said police would seek access to CCTV footage of the area where the incident occurred and also reach out to media houses to inquire about any video evidence they may have. Police will also recreate the scene of crime if required during the investigation, the source said. On Thursday, BJP MP Hemang Joshi, accompanied by party colleagues Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, visited the Parliament Street police station and filed the complaint. The Congress strongly rejected the claim, alleging that BJP MPs pushed Kharge and “physically manhandled” Gandhi. The Congress also lodged a complaint in connection with the matter on Thursday. A delegation of Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Rajiv Shukla and Pramod Tiwari, filed the complaint visiting the station in person. After political protests turned ugly, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday banned demonstrations by MPs and political parties at any of the gates of Parliament, sources said. “Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has issued strict instructions that no political party, Member of Parliament or groups of members will hold any dharna and demonstration at building gates of Parliament House,” parliament sources said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India's Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi has got backing from an unusual quarter for his controversial speech referring to some Hindus as 'violent': The Shankaracharya of Uttarakhand, a revered Hindu pontiff.

<h2>What did Rahul say?</h2>

On July 1, in his first speech as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, Gandhi said “those who call themselves Hindus indulge in hate and violence round the clock”.

He made the point while displaying photos of religious figures and deities including Lord Shiva and Sikhism's Guru Nanak.

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नेता विपक्ष राहुल गांधी के संसद में हिंदू वाले बयान पर ज्योतिष पीठ के शंकराचार्य अविमुक्तेश्वरानंद सरस्वती को सुनिए <a href="https://t.co/0p35TOivHT">pic.twitter.com/0p35TOivHT</a>
— Lutyens Media (@LutyensMediaIN) <a href="https://twitter.com/LutyensMediaIN/status/1809980215508312387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The remarks prompted an immediate interjection from Narendra Modi, a rare such move by the Indian prime minister.

Modi said: “The issue is a serious one, to call the entire Hindu community violent is serious.”

To this Gandhi retorted: “Narendra Modi ji is not the entire Hindu community, the BJP [the ruling party] is not the entire Hindu community, the RSS [the ideological font of BJP] is not the entire Hindu community”.

<h2>What did Shankaracharya say?</h2>

On Sunday (July 7), Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the 46th Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math in the northern state of Uttarakhand, appeared to back Gandhi.

"We listened attentively to Rahul Gandhi's entire speech. He unequivocally emphasises that Hinduism rejects violence," the Shankaracharya said.

He said those who are sharing parts of Gandhi's speech in a selective manner and distorting facts should be made accountable.

"Presenting only fragments of Gandhi's statement is misleading and unethical," he said in a video that has since gone viral.

<h2>How the government is acting against Rahul Gandhi</h2>

After a ruckus created by his remarks in parliament, the speaker&nbsp;Om Birla asked for expunging the relevant remarks from parliament records.

The government is also reportedly considering options to take action against Gandhi for his remarks.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju claimed Gandhi violated House rules and insulted the speaker.

"Action will follow as per the rule under which the notice or appeal has been made," he said last week.

<h2>Not the first time Shankaracharya didn't&nbsp;toe govt line</h2>

This is not the first time that Shankaracharyas, the four main clerics seen as custodians and guides of Hindu religion and its traditions, &nbsp;made their opinions heard.

The most recent one was during the Ayodhya Ram mandir inauguration earlier this year.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand had said at the time that the 'pran pratishtha' of the Ram Temple is being conducted even as the temple's construction was not complete.&nbsp;

He described the event, which was overseen by PM Modi this January, as a violation of religious scriptures.

<h2>Who is a Shankaracharya?</h2>

Shankaracharyas were religious leaders established by Adi Shankara, the 8th century saint from the southern state of Kerala, to spread Hindusim and the philosophy of Advaita (non-duality).

To spread the Hindu teachings, he set up four 'peethams' or religious monasteries in different regions of India.

Jyotir Math in Uttarakhand is one of them.

Shankaracharyas are the spiritual heads of these monasteries.

The other three peeths are located in Odisha, Karnataka and Gujarat. &nbsp;

Besides Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the other leaders of these monasteries are: Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati (Odisha), Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati (Gujarat), and Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth (Karnataka).

(With inputs from agencies)

India's Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi has got backing from an unusual quarter for his controversial speech referring to some Hindus as 'violent': The Shankaracharya of Uttarakhand, a revered Hindu pontiff.

India's Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi has got backing from an unusual quarter for his controversial speech referring to some Hindus as 'violent': The Shankaracharya of Uttarakhand, a revered Hindu pontiff. What did Rahul say? On July 1, in his first speech as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, Gandhi said “those who call themselves Hindus indulge in hate and violence round the clock”. He made the point while displaying photos of religious figures and deities including Lord Shiva and Sikhism's Guru Nanak. नेता विपक्ष राहुल गांधी के संसद में हिंदू वाले बयान पर ज्योतिष पीठ के शंकराचार्य अविमुक्तेश्वरानंद सरस्वती को सुनिए pic.twitter.com/0p35TOivHT — Lutyens Media (@LutyensMediaIN) July 7, 2024 × The remarks prompted an immediate interjection from Narendra Modi, a rare such move by the Indian prime minister. Modi said: “The issue is a serious one, to call the entire Hindu community violent is serious.” To this Gandhi retorted: “Narendra Modi ji is not the entire Hindu community, the BJP [the ruling party] is not the entire Hindu community, the RSS [the ideological font of BJP] is not the entire Hindu community”. What did Shankaracharya say? On Sunday (July 7), Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the 46th Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math in the northern state of Uttarakhand, appeared to back Gandhi. "We listened attentively to Rahul Gandhi's entire speech. He unequivocally emphasises that Hinduism rejects violence," the Shankaracharya said. He said those who are sharing parts of Gandhi's speech in a selective manner and distorting facts should be made accountable. "Presenting only fragments of Gandhi's statement is misleading and unethical," he said in a video that has since gone viral. How the government is acting against Rahul Gandhi After a ruckus created by his remarks in parliament, the speaker Om Birla asked for expunging the relevant remarks from parliament records. The government is also reportedly considering options to take action against Gandhi for his remarks. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju claimed Gandhi violated House rules and insulted the speaker. "Action will follow as per the rule under which the notice or appeal has been made," he said last week. Not the first time Shankaracharya didn't toe govt line This is not the first time that Shankaracharyas, the four main clerics seen as custodians and guides of Hindu religion and its traditions, made their opinions heard. The most recent one was during the Ayodhya Ram mandir inauguration earlier this year. Swami Avimukteshwaranand had said at the time that the 'pran pratishtha' of the Ram Temple is being conducted even as the temple's construction was not complete. He described the event, which was overseen by PM Modi this January, as a violation of religious scriptures. Who is a Shankaracharya? Shankaracharyas were religious leaders established by Adi Shankara, the 8th century saint from the southern state of Kerala, to spread Hindusim and the philosophy of Advaita (non-duality). To spread the Hindu teachings, he set up four 'peethams' or religious monasteries in different regions of India. Jyotir Math in Uttarakhand is one of them. Shankaracharyas are the spiritual heads of these monasteries. The other three peeths are located in Odisha, Karnataka and Gujarat. Besides Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the other leaders of these monasteries are: Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati (Odisha), Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati (Gujarat), and Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth (Karnataka). (With inputs from agencies)

Shankaracharya backs Rahul Gandhi on ‘Hindus and violence’ speech in Indian parliament; video goes viral

Members and workers of the main Opposition party, the Indian National Congress clashed with the police in the state of Assam after they alleged that their foot march was obstructed by Assam.

India: Congress workers clash with Assam police as INC denied entry in Guwahati

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, conducted his first press conference since being disqualified from the Lok Sabha this afternoon. The news conference started at 1 p.m. Gandhi lost his MP designation on Thursday after a Gujarat court found him guilty of criminal defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison.

India: Rahul Gandhi addresses press conference a day after removal as MP, says 'not scared of jail'

Rahul Gandhi has said he was favourite of his Indian grandmother Indira Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was of their Italian grandmother Paola Maino. In an interview to the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera", the 52-year-old leader of Congress, one of India's key opposition parties, also faced a frequently-asked question on his marriage and said he "would like to have children" though.&nbsp; Asked why he did not get married until now, Gandhi said, "It's strange...I don't know. Too many things to do. But I would like to have children." Gandhi also shared his experiences from the 3,500-km Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. On a question about his beard that he has grown during the foot march, he said, "I had decided not to cut it for the whole march. Now I have to decide whether to keep it or not..."

Gandhi told the newspaper, "I was the Indian grandmother's favourite and my sister Priyanka was the Italian grandmother's favourite." He said she lived 98 years and "I was very attached to her, as I am to uncle Walter, to the cousins, to the whole family". Paola Maino died in Italy in August last year.

In his interview to the newspaper published on February 1, Gandhi alleged that fascism has entered the country as democratic structures were collapsing and Parliament was not functioning properly. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be defeated in elections, scheduled next year, if the opposition presented an alternative vision to fascism. To a question on whether power could be transmitted by dynastic means, Gandhi said, "We are a family. A dynasty, if you will. But we have an idea to defend. Not India, the idea on which India is founded."

Watch: 'PM Modi gave away Indian territory to China', alleges Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Describing this idea, he said it is the coexistence of peoples and the realisation of oneself, through the non-violent search for the truth. "Ours is a mission. An almost religious idea. It is worth more than all of us, more than our own lives; for this I am ready to die, if necessary, as my grandmother and father died. It's such a strong idea that my mother, a woman born in Italy, dedicated her entire life to it...Here, I will defend this idea to the end," he said.

He also said, "Fascism is already there. Democratic structures collapse. Parliament is no longer working. I haven't been able to speak for two years, as soon as I speak they take my microphone off. The balance of powers is off. Justice is not independent. Centralism is absolute. The press is no longer free." "The manifestation of thought is prohibited. The concentration of wealth is scandalous. Hindu extremists of the RSS sect have infiltrated every institution and are conditioning it. People see no future because they are scared," he noted.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-parliament-indias-pm-narendra-modi-takes-veiled-dig-at-opposition-leader-rahul-gandhi-559963">In Parliament, India's PM Narendra Modi takes veiled dig at opposition leader Rahul Gandhi</a>

On whether PM Modi can be defeated in next year's elections, he said that if the opposition unites, one hundred per cent. "I didn't say he'll lose for sure. I said it sure can be beaten. Provided you oppose a vision not linked to the right or the left, but to peace and union. Fascism is defeated by offering an alternative. If two visions of India confront each other in the vote, we will be able to prevail," he asserted.

&nbsp;

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Rahul Gandhi has said he was favourite of his Indian grandmother Indira Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was of their Italian grandmother Paola Maino.

Rahul Gandhi has said he was favourite of his Indian grandmother Indira Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was of their Italian grandmother Paola Maino. In an interview to the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera", the 52-year-old leader of Congress, one of India's key opposition parties, also faced a frequently-asked question on his marriage and said he "would like to have children" though. Asked why he did not get married until now, Gandhi said, "It's strange...I don't know. Too many things to do. But I would like to have children." Gandhi also shared his experiences from the 3,500-km Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. On a question about his beard that he has grown during the foot march, he said, "I had decided not to cut it for the whole march. Now I have to decide whether to keep it or not..." Gandhi told the newspaper, "I was the Indian grandmother's favourite and my sister Priyanka was the Italian grandmother's favourite." He said she lived 98 years and "I was very attached to her, as I am to uncle Walter, to the cousins, to the whole family". Paola Maino died in Italy in August last year. In his interview to the newspaper published on February 1, Gandhi alleged that fascism has entered the country as democratic structures were collapsing and Parliament was not functioning properly. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be defeated in elections, scheduled next year, if the opposition presented an alternative vision to fascism. To a question on whether power could be transmitted by dynastic means, Gandhi said, "We are a family. A dynasty, if you will. But we have an idea to defend. Not India, the idea on which India is founded." Watch: 'PM Modi gave away Indian territory to China', alleges Congress leader Rahul Gandhi × Describing this idea, he said it is the coexistence of peoples and the realisation of oneself, through the non-violent search for the truth. "Ours is a mission. An almost religious idea. It is worth more than all of us, more than our own lives; for this I am ready to die, if necessary, as my grandmother and father died. It's such a strong idea that my mother, a woman born in Italy, dedicated her entire life to it...Here, I will defend this idea to the end," he said. He also said, "Fascism is already there. Democratic structures collapse. Parliament is no longer working. I haven't been able to speak for two years, as soon as I speak they take my microphone off. The balance of powers is off. Justice is not independent. Centralism is absolute. The press is no longer free." "The manifestation of thought is prohibited. The concentration of wealth is scandalous. Hindu extremists of the RSS sect have infiltrated every institution and are conditioning it. People see no future because they are scared," he noted. Also read: In Parliament, India's PM Narendra Modi takes veiled dig at opposition leader Rahul Gandhi On whether PM Modi can be defeated in next year's elections, he said that if the opposition unites, one hundred per cent. "I didn't say he'll lose for sure. I said it sure can be beaten. Provided you oppose a vision not linked to the right or the left, but to peace and union. Fascism is defeated by offering an alternative. If two visions of India confront each other in the vote, we will be able to prevail," he asserted. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

"I was Indira Gandhi's favourite, sister Priyanka Italian grandmother's," recalls Rahul Gandhi