'Same tactics have to be implemented...': Abhay Chautala says Bangladesh, Nepal-like protests needed in India to 'throw out government'

Visuals from protests

• Chautala suggests India should have protests like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh
• BJP leaders denounce Chautala's remarks as anti-democratic and unconstitutional.
• Chautala's remarks ignite debate on opposition's view of India's government

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Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) national President, Abhay Singh Chautala, has ignited controversy after he said that India should also see situations like Sri Lanka,  Nepal and Bangladesh, that ultimately caused their governments to be toppled.

In a video that a,llegedly surfaced on social media, Chautala said that the protests that the three countries witnessed should act as an example to "throw the present government off power" in India.

“In Sri Lanka, the way the youth of Bangladesh forced the government to leave the country, the way the youth of Nepal forced the government to leave the country, the same tactics will have to be implemented in India too to throw the present government out of power," he stated.

His remarks prompted the national spokesperson of the Bhartiya Janata Party, Shehzad Poonawalla, to react. Poonawalla said that Chautala's remarks are a threat to the constitutional order and democratic norms.

In a video message, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla accused opposition figures of harbouring an “anti-constitutional, anti-India” mindset in their criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said such statements signal a readiness to “go against Ambedkar’s Constitution” and weaken public trust in India’s democratic framework.

“They will go against democracy just because they want to score a political point,” Poonawalla said, alleging that the comments reflect how opposition parties are placing their “own interests above national interests.”

Adding to the criticism, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to social media platform X, claiming that an “anti-India narrative” is being pushed by opposition leaders. He referred to Chautala’s remarks and alleged that senior opposition figures, including Rahul Gandhi, have fuelled a narrative questioning the legitimacy of India’s political system.

Haryana Cabinet Minister Krishan Bedi also weighed in, questioning both the credibility and ideological consistency of the comments made. Referring to Chautala, Bedi pointed to the family’s long-standing political legacy and criticised statements he said ran contrary to democratic principles.

In Sri Lanka, large-scale protests erupted in 2022 amid a severe economic crisis marked by shortages of essential goods, fuel rationing and soaring inflation. The movement, led largely by youth and civil society groups, culminated in the resignation and exit of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as protesters occupied key government buildings and demanded accountability. A democratic transition followed, with new leadership pledging reforms and economic recovery.

In Bangladesh in 2024, student protests against a controversial government quota system escalated into a nationwide uprising. Demonstrations under banners such as “Students Against Discrimination” expanded into a broader anti-government movement, eventually forcing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee Dhaka. An interim government was subsequently formed.

Nepal witnessed similar unrest in 2025, when youth-led protests broke out after the government imposed a ban on major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and X. The demonstrations spread rapidly across Kathmandu and other cities, leading to clashes between protesters and security forces.