Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father during a public event in Patna have led to a political controversy, prompting sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused him of crossing the limits of political decency. The party also demanded an apology from the Congress leader.
The controversy began when Kharge was addressing a function commemorating the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar's first chief minister, Krishna Singh.During his speech, a member of the audience interrupted Kharge, shouting, "Modi nahi jaega" (Modi will not go). Responding to the heckler, the Congress president said, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" (Even Modi's father will have to go).
The remark drew instant criticism from senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin and Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who accused Kharge of disrespecting the PM’s late father.
Nabin described Kharge's remarks as indecent and unparliamentary, alleging that they reflected the Congress party's "ideological bankruptcy".
"The kind of indecent and unparliamentary language used today in Patna by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge towards the country's honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji reflects the Congress party's ideological bankruptcy," Nabin wrote on X.
He said political opposition should maintain dignity and accused Congress leaders of repeatedly dragging the family members of political opponents into public debates.
The BJP's official X account went further, comparing the Congress's style of functioning to that of a mafia gang. "The language that was once associated with thugs and hooligans is now being used by the Congress President himself," the party alleged.
Amit Shah accused Kharge of violating political decorum by referring to Modi's late father.
Shah alleged that Congress leaders had repeatedly made objectionable remarks about the prime minister and his family. He cited previous political attacks involving Modi's mother and references to the prime minister as a "merchant of death" and "chaiwala".
Shah blamed the Congress leadership for a pattern of personal attacks, alleging that repeated electoral defeats had left the party frustrated.
Chouhan also condemned the remarks, saying Indian traditions emphasised respect for those who had died. He questioned whether Kharge should continue as Congress president and demanded that the party either remove him from the position or explain his remarks.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary demanded an immediate apology from Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress of displaying hostility towards Modi's family.
BJP MP Sambit Patra also criticised Kharge, alleging that the remarks reflected the frustration of the Congress leadership over its inability to defeat Modi politically.
Congress defends Kharge
Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, however, defended Kharge, arguing that his response to the heckler was a common expression rather than a personal insult.
"What is so abusive about that? Someone was shouting while the speech was being delivered. Who was it? That is just a way of speaking," Baghel said.
He argued that expressions such as "uska baap bhi jayega" did not necessarily constitute an insult.
Baghel also accused Modi of using objectionable language against political opponents in the past, referring to remarks about a "50-crore girlfriend", "Jersey cows" and the mangalsutra controversy.
"The prime minister himself is consistently engaging in insults. You were the ones who started it," Baghel said.
