New Delhi. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju attacked Rahul Gandhi over the clash at the Parliament gate. Targeting Rahul Gandhi for allegedly injuring two BJP MPs in the clash on Thursday, he said that pushing an MP is not a sign of 'manliness'. The BJP has alleged that during the protest and counter-protest at a gate of Parliament on Thursday over Home Minister Amit Shah's 'fashion' comment on BR Ambedkar, the Congress leader pushed BJP MP Mukesh Rajput, who fell on fellow MP Pratap Sarangi, injuring both of them. After this, the MPs were admitted to the hospital.

A case has been registered at the Sansad Marg police station under sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 117 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 131 (use of criminal force), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 3 (5) (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. In an interview to NDTV, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju said Thursday's incident, involving Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, was "avoidable".

A case has also been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with the 'scuffle' in the Parliament campus. PTI quoted its sources as saying that the police may record the statements of two MPs injured in the incident and may also call the opposition leader for questioning. An official said that senior police officers may also consider handing over the case from the local police to the crime branch.

Referring to the FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi on the complaint of a BJP MP, Rijiju said, "There are heated debates in Parliament. This has been happening since 1952, there is nothing new in it. But when an incident causes injury and a police case is filed, it is very unfortunate. The police action is because of the injuries, due to which two MPs had to be hospitalised... This could have been avoided, the leader of the opposition should not get into physical fights."

Taking a jibe at Gandhi on Thursday, the Union minister asked Gandhi, who holds a black belt in the Japanese martial art form, Aikido, “Have you learnt Karate, Kung Fu, so that you can beat up other MPs?” When asked about this, Rijiju said, “It is said that martial arts are for self-defence. But I believe that sports, games and martial arts are for the desire of physical fitness, not for beating someone. But Rahul Gandhi ji coming to Parliament wearing a T-shirt and pushing an old, fragile MP, it is not 'mardaanigi' (manliness) that you are a good MP, it is not the mark of a good MP.”

Regarding the allegations, Rahul Gandhi had denied that he had pushed anyone and said that BJP MPs were stopping him. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had also claimed that he was pushed by BJP MPs and his knees were injured. When Rijiju was asked about this, he said that BJP MPs were protesting at the main gate of Parliament and Rahul Gandhi tried to force his way in and pushed people here and there.