Violent anti-government protests in France and Albania have sparked a political controversy in India after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shared footage of the unrest and suggested that countries, particularly India, should learn lessons from the events. In Albania’s capital, Tirana, demonstrators reportedly threw stones, petrol bombs and firecrackers at police while demanding the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons and baton charges. Raut’s post drew criticism from BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who accused him of supporting anarchy and said Indian citizens would not tolerate disorder. The controversy has also become part of the wider political debate following RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Vijayadashami address in Nagpur. Referring to unrest in France, Albania, Bangladesh and Nepal, Bhagwat warned against attempts to change regimes and argued that such actions do not necessarily improve circumstances. He alleged that external forces seek to destabilise countries for their own interests and claimed that India had also become a target of such efforts. Bhagwat urged people to remain alert to political opportunism, the pursuit of power and short-term electoral gains. His remarks have added another dimension to the ongoing discussion about foreign influence, regime change, democratic institutions and the political implications of violent protests.
