New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of manhandling a woman journalist during a protest in Delhi on Monday, alleging that she sustained injuries and was subsequently hospitalised.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari claimed that the journalist was pushed to the ground while covering the October 12 demonstration. The party also alleged that the journalist was pregnant at the time of the incident.

Speaking to reporters, Bhandari claimed that video footage showed Gandhi pushing the journalist with his elbow before grabbing her and causing her to fall.

“You all saw the video showing how Rahul Gandhi shoved a female journalist, using his elbow and grabbing her, causing her to fall; her condition became so serious that she is currently hospitalised. We went to visit her, and she told us that Rahul Gandhi himself grabbed her by the shoulder, yanked her, and threw her to the ground. She wasn't even asking him questions; she was simply covering the protest.”

Bhandari further alleged that Congress workers failed to assist the journalist following the incident and instead attempted to question her credibility.

Targeting Gandhi over his public statements on women's rights, the BJP spokesperson accused the Congress leader of displaying aggressive behaviour towards journalists and political colleagues.

“Rahul Gandhi, who speaks of 'smashing the patriarchy', behaved like a goon today. You might have seen how he shoved his own Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, backwards. He elbows his own workers, and the way he manhandled a female journalist makes it clear that Rahul Gandhi is a man filled with hatred, in every fibre of his being, for this country's democracy and its women,” Bhandari said.

Bhandari also questioned the Congress leadership over its response to allegations of sexual harassment involving Congress MP Bimole Akoijam, accusing Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of remaining silent on the issue.

“That is why Rahul and Priyanka remain silent when a JNU professor sexually harasses eleven girls, yet they grab a female journalist, who was merely covering their protest without even asking questions, by the arm and elbow, throwing her to the ground,” he said.

The BJP spokesperson also invoked Priyanka Gandhi's women's empowerment slogan, 'Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon', while criticising the Congress leadership.

“Today, the women of this country should see the true face of the Congress party and the reality behind Priyanka Vadra's slogan of 'Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon'. We hope she recovers soon and returns to reporting,” he added.

BJP leaders visit journalist in hospital

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP vice-president Rajesh Bhatia said he learned about the alleged incident from the journalist's sister, who approached him seeking medical assistance.

According to Bhatia, the journalist was pregnant and had sustained injuries following the alleged altercation.

“It was around 8:00 or 8:30 PM when a young woman approached me near the office in Rajendra Nagar. She explained that her sister, a journalist, had been pushed by Rahul Gandhi; she was pregnant, had sustained injuries, and required medical attention. She asked for our help,” Bhatia said.

He said he immediately contacted BJP MLA Umang Bajaj and local party leader Prateek Sharma, following which they proceeded to the hospital.

The journalist had reportedly arrived at the hospital accompanied by her husband.

BJP MLA Umang Bajaj said party representatives visited the journalist and helped arrange her admission.

“As the local MLA, I arrived here immediately, accompanied by Pradeep Bhandari, Rajesh Bhatia, and the local Mandal President. We checked on her well-being and ensured she was admitted to the hospital,” Bajaj said.

Condemning the alleged incident, Bajaj said elected representatives had a responsibility to engage with journalists and respond to their questions.

“It is the duty of a public representative to answer a journalist's questions rather than manhandling them and knocking them to the ground,” he said.

He also urged young people to judge political leaders by their conduct rather than their public statements.

“Through this platform, I would also like to send a message to the youth of the country: look at how Rahul Gandhi's actions today have contradicted his own rhetoric about respecting women. The youth should realise that words alone mean nothing—actions are what matter,” he added.

The BJP's allegations come amid political tensions surrounding the protest in the national capital.