Political uproar over Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial statement, BJP protests in Bengaluru

A political controversy has erupted across the country over a statement made by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge in Patna regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following this statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party has held nationwide protests and demanded an unconditional apology from Kharge. The controversy began during the 139th birth anniversary celebrations of Bihar's first Chief Minister, the late Krishna Singh, in Patna, Bihar.

According to a Hindustan Times report, while Kharge was speaking during this event in Patna, a person from the crowd commented that 'Modi is not going anywhere'. In response to this, Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" (Even Modi's father will go). A video of this statement was shared on social media by ANI, which escalated the controversy.

Reacting to this statement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has crossed all limits by making an indecent remark about Modiji's father in Patna. Shah further added that the Congress party repeatedly uses abusive language against Modiji or his family. He recalled that sometimes Modiji's mother has been insulted, sometimes he has been called a 'merchant of death', and sometimes he has been called a 'chaiwala' to mock his poverty. Under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, the Congress has been crossing the limits of indecency every day.

In Bengaluru, BJP leaders and workers held a protest against this statement. According to a The News report, several leaders and workers were taken into custody by the police on Monday after the BJP workers' march was stopped near Freedom Park in Bengaluru. Leaders including Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya, and former Deputy CM C.N. Ashwath Narayan participated in this protest. When the protesters wanted to move to the main road outside the designated area, their path was blocked by the police using barricades, creating a tense situation. Later, all the leaders were released.

Addressing the protest, R. Ashoka mocked the duo of Kharge and Home Minister Priyank Kharge, saying that they are responsible for the defeat of the Congress at the national and state levels. Ashoka stated that Kharge should not have stooped to this level. Criticizing the Congress, he said that Kharge is struggling to walk and similarly the Congress is also unable to walk, which is going with the 'Cockroach Janata Party'. Ashoka further said that Kharge's statement shows the low culture of the Congress and he spoke in this manner due to jealousy and anger towards Modi. He said that Kharge has lost his mental balance and if he has any self-respect, he should apologize.

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, while speaking to the press, said that Kharge has spoken lightly about the Prime Minister, which shows the frustration of the Congress and its leaders. The Congress cannot accept Modiji being elected for the third time.

Union Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy also termed Kharge's statement a violation of political limits and insulting. He said that Kharge's words show his hidden cruel mentality and the statement targeting Modiji's father is unbearable. He said that such pettiness after such a long public life cannot be forgiven.

On the other hand, Congress leader Pawan Khera defended this statement, saying that 'Modi ka baap' does not mean biological father, but ideological father, i.e., the party organization RSS, who will also go. He added that the BJP should first apologize on the issue of 'purification' in Uttarakhand. TMC leader Mahua Moitra also wrote on X that if Modi comes, his father will also go.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the BJP posted on the social media platform X, saying, "Sad to inform all anti-India forces, but... Modi kahin nahi jayega (Modi will not go anywhere)".

Amidst this controversy, according to a BBC Hindi report, political experts are discussing the reasons behind the controversial statements. Senior journalist Vijay Trivedi said that leaders often make personal attacks to get into the limelight and show their strength. Rasheed Kidwai stated that such statements are made to grab people's attention and change the direction of political discourse. He noted that due to Kharge's statement, the issue on which the opposition was trying to corner the government has been left behind.

Speaking on the legal aspects, senior advocate Jitendra Kumar Sharma stated that if a statement hurts sentiments or disturbs peace, action can be taken under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, leaders in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies get special protection under Articles 105(2) and 194(2) of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, an agitation is also being held by the Congress and the INDIA bloc against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. According to a Dainik Bhaskar report, a 'Mock Parliament' will be organized by the Congress at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. This event will be presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, in which Mallikarjun Kharge will introduce an impeachment motion against Gyanesh Kumar and Rahul Gandhi will deliver the concluding speech. This event is being held before the 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' rally to be held on November 1, in which the opposition is protesting against the working style of the Election Commission and the issue of deleting voters' names.

Rahul Gandhi also appealed regarding the protest, saying that this is not a march of one party but a march to save the soul of India. He added that votes are being stolen from the top level and this movement will continue.