Rajnath Singh Slams Kharge Over “Modi Ka Baap” Remark

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his “Modi ka baap bhi jayega” remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh called the comment an insult to India and an attack on the dignity of politics. The Congress has defended Kharge, saying he was answering a heckler, and the BJP has announced protests.

What happened in Patna

On Sunday, October 25, Kharge was speaking at an event marking the birth anniversary of Dr Shri Krishna Singh, Bihar’s first chief minister. A member of the audience interrupted and shouted that Modi would not go anywhere (“Modi nahin jayega”). Kharge replied from the stage, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega”, which translates as “Even Modi’s father will have to go.” The exchange caused a commotion at the venue.

Rajnath Singh’s response

Singh first said on X that he was “stunned and hurt” by the remark about the Prime Minister’s late father. On Monday he told reporters the comment had hurt the sentiments of crores of people and accused the Congress of defending it instead of expressing regret. He said it was an insult not just to an individual or a family but to the dignity of Indian politics. In a democracy, he said, leaders can question policies and criticise the government, but they should not violate personal dignity. He also alleged that Congress leaders and workers had earlier mocked the Prime Minister’s humble background and used indecent language about his mother.

BJP escalates

Home Minister Amit Shah said Kharge had torn apart all norms of decorum.
BJP president Nitin Nabin called the remark indecent and unparliamentary and a sign of the Congress’s ideological bankruptcy.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary demanded an apology from Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called it shameful and undignified, and MP Nishikant Dubey also criticised the Congress.
The BJP announced demonstrations at state and district headquarters across the country on Monday.

Congress defends Kharge

The Congress has argued that the remark was a response to repeated provocation, not a personal attack. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said a BJP worker had interrupted the speech, prompting the retort, and that the comment was aimed at the RSS. Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel called it a common expression that did not necessarily amount to an insult. The party also said Kharge’s larger remarks were about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and threats to voting rights. Khera accused the BJP and RSS of repeatedly disrespecting Kharge, citing the Patna heckling and a purification ritual held after a Congress rally in Haldwani earlier this year.

Not the first row

In April, Kharge’s remark calling Modi a “terrorist” at a Tamil Nadu press conference drew a BJP demand for an apology and an Election Commission notice. He later clarified he meant the Prime Minister was “terrorising” opponents. Both parties routinely accuse each other of crossing the line in political language, and each side has cited the other’s past remarks.

What to watch

No apology or clarification from Kharge himself was reported at the time of writing. The key questions are whether the BJP’s protests grow, whether Kharge or the Congress goes further than the current defence, and whether the row spills over into Parliament and the Bihar political calendar.