The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly demanded a public apology from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for his objectionable remarks against President Droupadi Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind. The controversy erupted after Kharge allegedly mocked the constitutional heads during a recent public address, sparking a political firestorm.
Kharge, while addressing a gathering in Raipur, made comments that the BJP has termed derogatory, accusing him of insulting the dignity of India’s top constitutional posts. In particular, his alleged mispronunciations — referring to Murmu as “Murma ji” and Kovind as “Covid” — and remarks suggesting their elevation was symbolic rather than substantive have been widely criticised, reported The Times of India. The BJP claims that these statements are not just slip-ups but reflective of a deeper “anti-Dalit, anti-Adivasi mindset” within the Congress party.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia condemned the statements as “distasteful and diabolical,” asserting that they insult not just two former Presidents but also the aspirations of the Dalit and tribal communities they represent. Bhatia demanded that Mallikarjun Kharge issue an unconditional apology and resign as the president of the Indian National Congress.
The ruling party also accused Kharge of being a “remote-controlled president” acting under the influence of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress high command. The BJP further claimed that this was not the first time the Congress party had disrespected top constitutional figures belonging to marginalized communities.
In response, the Congress defended Kharge’s comments, stating that they were being misrepresented and taken out of context. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera argued that the BJP should focus on its own track record on tribal and Dalit welfare instead of indulging in theatrics. He emphasized that symbolic elevation of tribal leaders to high posts does not absolve the ruling party from accountability for the exploitation of forest lands, tribal displacement, and lack of grassroots development.
This verbal clash has reignited the debate on political discourse in India, particularly concerning respect for constitutional offices and the fine line between criticism and insult. While the BJP continues to amplify its demand for an apology, the Congress is holding its ground, accusing the saffron party of selective outrage.
Political analysts believe this controversy could have ripple effects, especially with state elections and the 2024 general election on the horizon. For the BJP, Kharge’s remarks provide a narrative to project the Congress as disrespectful toward institutions. For the Congress, the challenge lies in containing the damage while maintaining its political posture.
Several other opposition parties have so far refrained from taking a definitive stance on the matter. However, the issue has gained significant traction on social media, with hashtags related to Kharge’s remarks trending and drawing divided responses from the public.
While the BJP insists that this matter is about the dignity of the highest office in the land, the Congress maintains that this is a deliberate attempt to distract from pressing issues like inflation, unemployment, and governance lapses.
The political slugfest shows no signs of slowing down. Whether Kharge will respond with a clarification or a formal apology remains to be seen. In the meantime, the BJP is likely to keep up the pressure, using every platform to keep the issue alive in public discourse.
Photo Credit: Times of India
For more stories click here
Follow us for latest updates:
