Sanjay Raut’s ‘learn from Albania’ post on Supreme Court fire sparks row; he clarifies

Mumbai: The controversy over Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s remarks on violent protests in Albania widened on Wednesday, with former party MP Priyanka Chaturvedi rejecting his suggestion that India should learn from the unrest, while Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat stressed that protests must remain within constitutional and legal limits.

Raut had triggered a political row with a post on X referring to reports of protesters setting fire to offices inside Albania’s Supreme Court in Tirana. He said all countries should learn a lesson from the events, “especially India”, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP and prompting objections from political leaders, including Chaturvedi.

Chaturvedi, who was formerly with the Shiv Sena (UBT), said India did not need to take lessons from another country and warned against attempts to destabilise democratic institutions or encourage people to take the law into their own hands.

“Albania is a small nation that endured years under a communist dictatorship; the idea that people should take the law into their own hands, disrupt order, and destabilise institutions, whether it be the Supreme Court or Parliament, is entirely unacceptable,” she said.

She also cautioned against drawing inspiration from violent regime changes abroad, referring to the protests in Bangladesh and the subsequent attacks on minorities, including Hindus.
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Sanjay Raut clarifies remarks, says he has faith in Supreme Court

Facing criticism over his post, Raut maintained that his remarks were a warning about the consequences of the present government's actions and not a call to attack the judiciary.

“If this government remains in power, chaos will inevitably spread; that is what I am saying. The Supreme Court should take note... We have faith in the Supreme Court, and it is the Supreme Court alone that can save the nation,” Raut said.

He also referred to restrictions and opposition faced by people seeking to hoist the national flag, asking what citizens could do if they were unable to hoist the Tricolour in their own country. He urged the Supreme Court to look into the matter.

In his original post, written in Marathi and shared on Monday, Raut referred to reports that protesters in Albania had set fire to the Supreme Court because they believed it was helping “corrupt prime ministers”. He also mentioned attacks on Parliament, government offices and ministers’ homes.

The post included a 13-second video clip purportedly showing arson in Albania. Raut used an Indian national flag emoji to refer to India while suggesting that other countries should learn from the events.

BJP accuses Opposition of encouraging anarchy

The BJP strongly criticised Raut's remarks, accusing Opposition leaders of encouraging unrest and undermining constitutional institutions.

BJP spokesperson Sidharth Yadav said Opposition leaders had previously spoken about “regime change” and cited developments in Bangladesh as an example. He alleged that Raut's comments about Albania were another attempt to push Indian democracy towards anarchy.

BJP leaders also demanded that Raut apologise for his remarks. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam accused him of taking contradictory positions on the judiciary, while other BJP leaders described his comments as provocative.

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar also criticised Raut, calling him a “provocateur” and arguing that violence and chaos could hamper India's growth. He backed Bhagwat's warning about forces seeking to create unrest.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju separately alleged that some political actors and groups were attempting to incite young people and spread violence, invoking developments in France and Bangladesh.

Mohan Bhagwat warns against protests outside constitutional limits

The controversy coincided with Bhagwat's address at the RSS's centenary-year Vijayadashami function in Nagpur on Tuesday.

Referring to protests and developments in France, Albania, Nepal and Bangladesh, Bhagwat said that “regime change has neither happened nor will it happen”.

He acknowledged that demonstrations over social problems and shortcomings in the system were natural but stressed that protests must adhere to constitutional and legal limits.Bhagwat said protesters, the administration responsible for maintaining law and order, and political leaders must respect the Constitution, the law and norms of civility in public life. He also urged political leaders to ensure that protests did not divide society.
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The BJP's criticism of Raut's post came amid a wider political dispute over protests against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor rejected comparisons between India and countries witnessing violent unrest, maintaining that the Opposition supported peaceful demonstrations and constitutional methods.

“India is not Bangladesh and India is not France... We only believe in peaceful protest,” Tharoor said, adding that the demand for free and fair elections was a constitutional issue rather than an attempt to topple the government.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also criticised comparisons between India and European countries, arguing that international developments were being used to discredit peaceful protests.

Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy, meanwhile, said he did not support burning down a Supreme Court anywhere but defended the right to protest.

“However, it is justified for people to protest, and they are protesting in the country too. I do not support Sanjay Raut's statement,” Roy said.

The row has brought into focus competing arguments over the limits of political protest, the protection of constitutional institutions and the Opposition's demonstrations against the electoral roll revision exercise.

What is happening in Albania?

The controversy stems from anti-government protests in Albania, where demonstrators have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, citing alleged corruption, education costs and employment concerns.

Protesters in the capital, Tirana, have targeted government institutions and clashed with police. Reports have also described fires inside offices at the country's Supreme Court, alongside attacks on other government buildings.

Rama, who has been in office since 2013, has ruled out resigning. He has said his government is willing to address legitimate student concerns while insisting that those responsible for property destruction must be held accountable.

The unrest in Albania has since become part of India's political debate, with the BJP accusing Opposition leaders of encouraging anarchy and Opposition figures arguing that peaceful protest and demands for electoral reform are legitimate within a constitutional democracy.