A political controversy erupted in Parliament after Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury brought a stray puppy inside the Parliament premises on Monday. The action triggered objections from several MPs, but Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi stood firmly by her side, questioning whether dogs were even prohibited inside the building.
Rahul Gandhi’s reaction
Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi questioned the outrage, saying:
“Dog is the main topic today, I believe. What did the poor dog do? Are dogs not allowed here? Maybe pets are not allowed… I guess these are the things India is discussing these days.”
He subtly criticised the attention given to the issue, indicating that the matter was being unnecessarily sensationalized.
What Renuka Chowdhury said
A day earlier, Renuka Chowdhury faced criticism from multiple MPs for bringing the stray puppy inside the premises. Responding sharply, she said:
“The real ones who bite are sitting inside the Parliament. They run the government.”
She argued that the matter was blown out of proportion and accused the government of focusing on trivial issues.
Why she brought the puppy
Chowdhury later explained her actions:
- She was on her way to Parliament for the Winter Session.
- She witnessed an accident between a scooter and a car.
- A puppy was left wandering on the road and nearly got run over.
- Fearing it would be killed, she picked it up and carried it with her.
She questioned whether any rule explicitly bans bringing a rescued animal into Parliament.
Debate continues
The incident has sparked a larger debate about:
- Security protocols inside Parliament
- Whether animals are formally disallowed
- The rising trend of political controversies over symbolic gestures
For now, Rahul Gandhi’s backing has shifted attention from the act itself to the broader political reaction surrounding it.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
