Ahmedabad: Workers of BJP and Congress hurled stones at each other outside Gujarat Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad on Tuesday during a protest against “anti-Hindu” remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.
Several workers and leaders from both sides were detained from the spot in the Paldi area after the violent clash and stone pelting, a city police control room official said.
While the BJP accused Congress workers of attacking a “peaceful protest,” opposition leaders blamed BJP cadres for initiating the violence.
Both parties claimed their workers were injured in the incident and they will lodge complaints with police.
Local TV channel visuals showed party workers from both sides thrashing each other outside Congress' Gujarat headquarters, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan. Some individuals were seen throwing stones at each other, even as police attempted to intervene.
“BJP workers attacked Congress office out of frustration a day after Rahul Gandhi said all religions preach non-violence and there is no place for violence. They staged a protest without any permission from police and attacked us, which is a testimony to the collapse of law and order in Gujarat,” alleged Gujarat Congress working president Himmatsinh Patel.
BJP leader Hitendra Patel claimed the attack was led by Congress workers.
“Rahul Gandhi insulted the entire Hindu community in his speech delivered inside Parliament. BJP workers were staging a peaceful protest against Gandhi's remarks when Congress cadres hurled stones as part of a conspiracy,” Hitendra Patel alleged.
