Outrage in Patna: Bihar BJP Marches Against Kharge's Remarks on PM Modi's Family
BJP holds a protest march in Patna after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge allegedly made offensive remarks about PM Modi's late father.
The political atmosphere in Bihar has reached a boiling point after the BJP Patna Metropolitan unit organized a massive protest march on Monday. The demonstration was triggered by alleged objectionable comments made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge regarding the family of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, specifically his late parents.
The Spark: What Happened in Patna?
The controversy unfolded during a public gathering in Patna, where Mallikarjun Kharge was addressing the 139th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Krishna Singh, the first Chief Minister of Bihar. According to reports, the event took a sharp turn when an attendee interrupted the Congress President, claiming that PM Modi would not be displaced from power.
In a fiery response from the stage, Kharge reportedly retorted, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" (Even Modi's father will have to go), a statement that has since sparked a nationwide political firestorm.
BJP's Fierce Reaction
Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi led the condemnation, describing the remarks as a sign of "ideological bankruptcy" and desperation within the Congress party. Speaking to the media, Saraogi slammed the use of what he termed "crude, gutter-level, and derogatory language" directed at the Prime Minister’s deceased parents.
Saraogi emphasized that the public would not tolerate such offensive rhetoric. To signal their gravity, the BJP announced a coordinated nationwide strategy, deciding to hold protests at the headquarters of every state across India to condemn the Congress leader's words.
Manoj Tiwari Joins the Fray
Adding to the criticism, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari expressed his disgust over the comments. Tiwari highlighted that the people of Bihar hold their culture and values in high regard and found it unacceptable for a national leader to insult the Prime Minister's late father while visiting the state.
Tiwari didn't stop there; he also took a swipe at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of acting under the influence of foreign powers.
Congress Stands Its Ground
While the BJP calls for apologies and protests, the Congress party has seen some of its members defend the remarks. Saharanpur Congress MP Imran Masood strongly backed Mallikarjun Kharge, arguing that the opposition will no longer remain silent in the face of verbal attacks.
Masood justified the "fiery retort," claiming that top BJP leaders have historically lowered the standard of political discourse without being held accountable. He argued that the BJP feels free to make remarks about Sonia Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, and asserted that the BJP deserves to be answered in the same language they use.
"They have made the mistake of assuming they wouldn’t be answered—but they will be answered in the very same language," Masood asserted.