Reacting to Kharge’s remarks made in Patna on Sunday, Singh said he was “shocked and deeply hurt” and questioned how the national president of a party that claims to be the country’s oldest political organisation could use such language.
“What is most shocking about this entire episode is that these comments were not made by some ordinary Congress worker or a youth leader, but by the national president of a party that claims to be the oldest political party in the country,” Singh said.
Also read: Kharge’s ‘baap’ remark on Modi creates furore; BJP says language associated with ‘thugs’
He further accused the Congress of aggravating the controversy by attempting to justify Kharge’s remarks rather than acknowledging the mistake and expressing regret.
Singh said the comments went beyond an insult to an individual or a family and amounted to an affront to the country and the dignity of politics.
“In a democracy, you may register your opposition, question policies, and criticise the government—but please, do not cross the boundaries of personal decorum,” the defence minister said.Singh also alleged that the Congress had increasingly resorted to personal attacks against the Prime Minister and his family, recalling previous controversies over remarks about Modi’s humble family background and his late mother.
“Turning ideological opposition into personal insults, escalating political disagreement into the use of abusive language, and targeting the Prime Minister’s family—all of this reflects the desperation and ideological bankruptcy of the Congress,” Singh said.
He added that the Congress had experienced not only a political decline but, in his view, an ideological one as well.
Singh maintained that Modi would not be affected by such remarks and that his resolve to serve the people would remain unchanged. He also said voters would respond to the controversy at the appropriate time.
The remarks have triggered a political row between the BJP and the Congress, with BJP leaders criticising Kharge’s language and questioning the Congress leadership’s response.
Kharge’s remarks came while addressing an event in Patna on Sunday to mark the birth anniversary of Bihar’s first chief minister, Shrikrishna Singh. The comment followed an audience member’s remark that Modi would not leave office.
