Sanjay Raut sparks outrage after citing Albania Supreme Court arson as lesson for India

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has drawn intense condemnation across the political spectrum after suggesting on social media that India should draw lessons from violent street protests in Albania, where demonstrators set fire to parts of the Supreme Court.

In a post shared on X alongside a 13-second video clip of the blaze in the capital city of Tirana, Raut claimed that the Albanian public had torched their apex court for protecting corrupt leaders and had attacked government buildings and ministerial residences. Raut asserted that all nations ought to take a lesson from the violence, concluding pointedly: "Especially India."

Internal pushback from Shiv Sena (UBT)

The provocative remark provoked immediate dissent within Raut's own party. Former Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi openly broke ranks with her colleague, calling the remarks deeply regrettable and warning against glorifying attacks on constitutional foundations.

Chaturvedi stated firmly that India does not need guidance from foreign crises or nations emerging from past dictatorships. She cautioned that taking the law onto the streets and seeking violent disruption has no place in Indian democracy, drawing a parallel to how student agitation in Bangladesh was hijacked by extremist elements to attack institutions and religious minorities.

BJP condemns reckless calls for anarchy

The Bharatiya Janata Party launched a scathing attack on Raut and the wider opposition alliance, accusing them of actively promoting disorder because they cannot accept India's democratic mandates and rapid national progress.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari declared that the opposition alliance is openly threatening constitutional bodies and pursuing an agenda of chaos. BJP spokesperson Sidharth Yadav questioned how romanticising arson against a judiciary could possibly serve democracy, observing that certain political figures repeatedly look to foreign street violence, from Dhaka to Tirana, in a desperate bid to undermine stability.

BJP leader CR Kesavan denounced Raut's rhetoric as treacherous, stating that the country's 140 crore citizens remain firmly committed to the Constitution established by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and the proven governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju warned that while political change in India is always possible through the ballot box, attempts to orchestrate street unrest through foreign-backed narratives will find no quarter in a stable, self-confident republic.

Unrest in Tirana

The unrest referenced by Raut broke out in Albania following anti-government agitation against Prime Minister Edi Rama over corruption allegations and rising education costs. Protesters hurled petrol bombs and clashed with police, resulting in fires at ministry offices and the Supreme Court.

While European authorities grapple with street disorder in Tirana, Indian political observers noted that Raut's attempt to weaponise foreign riots only highlights the contrast between fragile governance abroad and the enduring stability of India's sovereign institutions.