BJP leaders allege journalist Richa Parashar was injured during an INDIA bloc march; Congress supporters have rejected the claim as false
The BJP has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of allegedly pushing journalist Richa Parashar during the INDIA bloc's protest march in New Delhi on October 12, 2026. BJP leaders claim the journalist, reportedly three months pregnant, sustained injuries and received hospital treatment. The allegations have not been independently established.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of pushing and allegedly manhandling a three-month-pregnant journalist during the INDIA bloc’s protest march in New Delhi on October 12. The journalist, identified as Richa Parashar, was reportedly injured and taken to hospital. The allegations have triggered a political controversy, with BJP leaders demanding an investigation.
BJP leader Rajesh Bhatia said the journalist’s sister approached his office in Rajendra Nagar at around 8.30 pm seeking assistance. According to Bhatia, she said her sister was pregnant, had sustained injuries after the alleged incident and required medical treatment.
Bhatia said he contacted BJP MLA Umang Bajaj and other party leaders, who subsequently visited the hospital to enquire about the journalist’s condition.
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also shared a video of his hospital visit on social media, alleging that Parashar had been pushed while performing her professional duties. BJP leaders condemned the alleged conduct and called for accountability.
Umang Bajaj Condemns the Alleged Incident
BJP MLA Umang Bajaj criticised the alleged treatment of the journalist, stating that public representatives should respond to journalists’ questions rather than engage in physical confrontations.
BJP leaders have also questioned the incident in the context of Congress leaders’ public statements on women’s safety. However, the allegation against Rahul Gandhi has not been independently established in the reports cited.
INDIA Bloc March Draws Thousands
The alleged incident occurred during a march organised by Opposition leaders in Delhi to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allegations of electoral irregularities. The demonstration also called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge led the march, which was attended by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Tejashwi Yadav, D. Raja and other INDIA bloc leaders, along with thousands of supporters.
The large gathering, security barricades and movement of protesters and media personnel reportedly created congestion and pushing near the protest route. The alleged incident involving the journalist occurred amid these circumstances.
BJP Considers Complaint and Investigation
BJP leaders are reportedly preparing to approach the National Commission for Women (NCW) and file a complaint with Delhi Police, seeking an investigation into the allegations.
As of the reports available on October 13, no immediate official response from Rahul Gandhi or the Congress leadership had been reported. Congress supporters, however, have described the allegations on social media as politically motivated and an attempt to divert attention from the Opposition’s petition challenging the voter-list revision process.
The allegations and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain matters requiring independent verification.
