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New Delhi: The political dispute triggered by Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury’s remark about “those who bite being inside Parliament” grew sharper on Tuesday after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi joked that pets are allowed in the national legislature.
Gandhi, speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, referred to the controversy that began when Chowdhury arrived at the complex with a rescued stray dog. “It seems the main topic today is the dog,” he said.
He then asked, “What did the poor dog do? Did it walk in here? Is it not allowed?”
A reporter replied that the rule book does not clearly state anything, but pets are generally not permitted. Gandhi looked toward the Parliament building and remarked, “But they are allowed inside,” which drew laughter from the group around him.
The BJP quickly seized on Gandhi’s comments. The Congress leader is known for his affection for his pet dog, Pidi, and the party accused him of lowering the dignity of the House.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Parliament’s decorum had been hurt by the remarks made by both Gandhi and Chowdhury. “Both the ‘Rs’ should remember there is another R — the responsibility of an MP,” he said. Patra added that while Gandhi did not name anyone, his words carried an implied meaning that could include parliamentarians across parties, as well as staff and sanitation workers. “The public can see what is happening,” he added.
Patra urged Gandhi to reflect on his own statements. “Rahul Gandhi, we do not expect this from you. Please go home, listen to what you and Renuka said, and think about whether this language is acceptable. With such behaviour, will the country respect you?” he asked.
Another BJP spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, accused Gandhi of comparing MPs to dogs and said this reflects how political dynasties treat Parliament.
“When Rahul Gandhi was told, ‘Dogs are not allowed inside,’ he pointed at Parliament and said, ‘Dogs allowed inside.’ Rahul Gandhi is comparing his own party members and Opposition leaders to a dog. This is how Parivarvadi leaders treat the temple of democracy,” Bhandari wrote on X.
The controversy began on Monday after some MPs objected to Chowdhury bringing a stray dog inside the Parliament complex in her car. In response, she said, “Those sitting inside bite, dogs don’t.”
