A major political uproar has erupted across the country following a controversial statement made by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father. Protests against Kharge have broken out in various parts of the nation, and the Bharatiya Janata Party has gone into an aggressive mode. Prominent leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi आदित्यनाथ, and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan have strongly criticized Kharge. Now, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has also slammed Congress over the remarks, asserting that the party must not violate personal decorum in public life.
What Happened at the Patna Rally
The controversy began on Sunday in Bihar's capital, Patna, where Mallikarjun Kharge was addressing a public gathering and speaking on the issue of vote theft. Amidst the speech, an individual from the crowd shouted that Modi is not going anywhere. Reacting to this, Kharge retorted that even Modi's father will have to go. According to reports, people present at the venue subsequently beat up that person and escorted him out of the rally. However, it was later revealed that the individual was actually a Congress party worker named Santosh Kumar. Santosh Kumar stated that he was assaulted due to a misunderstanding at Kharge's event. The BJP has alleged that Kharge made this objectionable remark against Modi's father at the behest of Rahul Gandhi, and the party has announced statewide demonstrations.
Rajnath Singh Expresses Shock and Anguish
Weighing in on the entire episode, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the remark made by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late father left him shocked and deeply hurt. The most shocking aspect of the whole affair, he noted, is that the comment did not come from a ordinary party worker or a young leader, but from the national president of a party that calls itself the oldest political organization in the country. By his conduct, the Congress president has hurt the sentiments of crores of citizens. Singh added that Congress members did not stop there, but are now attempting to justify Kharge's words and further hurt public feelings instead of acknowledging the mistake and expressing regret.
Addressing the Public on Social Media
Rajnath Singh took to the social media platform X to voice his strong disapproval. The Defense Minister remarked that the post held by Mallikarjun Kharge demands a higher level of seriousness, restraint, decorum, and responsible conduct in public life. When the national president of the principal opposition party uses such language, it contradicts the dignity of his office and raises serious questions about the political culture of Congress. While political opposition has its place, such behavior is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Decline of Politics Reaches Top Leadership
Targeting the opposition further, Singh stated that while some Congress leaders previously mocked the Prime Minister's humble family background and used abusive language against his mother, this low-level politics has now reached the very top leadership of the party. The standard of Congress politics is setting new records of decline every day. Turning ideological opposition into personal insults, taking political disagreements down to abusive language, and targeting the Prime Minister's family reflect the frustration and ideological vacuum within Congress, he added. This is not merely an insult to an individual or a family, but a direct blow to the dignity of Indian democracy.
Democracy Demands Accountability
Emphasizing democratic norms, Rajnath Singh stated that opposition in a democracy is welcome, policies must be questioned, and the government should be criticized, but personal boundaries must never be crossed. Today, Congress has suffered not only a political collapse but an ideological one as well, he said. The party must remember that the public keeps an account of everything in a democracy and delivers answers when the right time comes. He made it clear that Prime Minister Modi cannot be deterred by such remarks, nor can his resolve for public service be weakened.
