NEW DELHI: A major political storm has arisen in India after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘terrorist’ during a press conference. The comment quickly spread on social media, prompting strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which described it as an affront to the Prime Minister. The Congress responded by attempting to mitigate the fallout.
Kharge later explained that he did not mean to call the Prime Minister a terrorist personally, but rather to highlight how Modi was intimidating other political groups and the general public. The remark was made in relation to politics in Tamil Nadu, where Kharge questioned the possibility of an alliance between the AIADMK and the BJP, wondering how a party following Annadurai’s principles could partner with the BJP.
The BJP responded forcefully. Spokesperson Sambit Patra called the statement deeply objectionable, saying it revealed the Congress’s underlying attitudes and political approach. The party claimed that Congress leaders, influenced by Rahul Gandhi, repeatedly disrespect the Prime Minister. They connected this event to previous disputes, suggesting Congress has a questionable position on matters like national security and counter-terrorism.
Social media amplified the dispute significantly. The comment spread rapidly, drawing varied responses. Some users viewed it as a breach of democratic standards, while others saw it as a sign of political frustration. Supporters of Congress backed Kharge’s explanation, claiming the words were misinterpreted.
One social media post criticized the remark as exceeding acceptable boundaries, questioning whether it reflected love or hatred in politics. Another user expressed outrage, arguing that labeling Modi—who has taken strong actions against terrorism—a terrorist was akin to seditious language and showed Congress’s desperation, even comparing it to rhetoric from Pakistan. The public, the post suggested, would not overlook such statements against the nation.
A senior journalist also commented on the issue, noting that it demonstrated Congress’s ongoing frustration, as evidenced by Rahul Gandhi’s actions, and that the party president was now calling a democratically elected leader a terrorist.
An advocate condemned the language as revealing an anti-constitutional outlook, emphasizing that such insults toward a constitutionally elected Prime Minister were unacceptable.
