Union Minister Rajnath Singh targets Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge (right) over latter's remarks on PM Modi's late father. Union Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh, on Monday, targeted Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over the latter’s ‘Baap’ remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late father, saying this show opposition's "frustration" as the statement is not from a party worker but its president. Kharge, had on Sunday, sparked a controversy with his remarks "Modi ka baap bhi jayega", in response to an audience member's comment that "the PM would not go anywhere", during an event in Bihar’s Patna. The incident took place while Kharge was speaking at the programme to celebrate the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar's first chief minister, Shrikrishna Singh. In response to Kharge’s remarks, the BJP demanded an apology from the Congress and registered a complaint with the Patna police. The saffron party also announced a nationwide protest against the Congress chief’s remarks. As the row erupted further, Union Minister Rajnath Singh said, “I was stunned and deeply hurt by the remark made yesterday in Patna by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ji regarding the late father of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” “The most shocking aspect of this entire episode is that this remark was not made by some ordinary Congress worker or young leader. Rather, it was made by the national president of a party that calls itself the country's 'oldest political party,” he said. “The most shocking aspect of this entire episode is that this remark was not made by some ordinary Congress worker or young leader. Rather, it was made by the national president of a party that calls itself the country's 'oldest political party,” he said. Taking to X, Rajnath Singh shared a long post calling out the Grand Old Party and said, "The Congress President has hurt the sentiments of crores of countrymen through his conduct. But the Congress people did not stop there. Now the Congress party is once again hurting people's sentiments by justifying Kharge ji's words. Instead of admitting its mistake and expressing regret, the Congress is engaged in defending this statement. It is busy defending it." "From the position that Kharge ji holds, there is an expectation of greater seriousness, restraint, decorum, and responsible conduct in public life. In such a scenario, if the Congress national president himself uses such language, it is not only contrary to the dignity of his position but also raises serious questions about the Congress's political culture," Rajnath Singh said. "Political opposition has its place, but such conduct can never be acceptable under any circumstances. Until yesterday, some Congress leaders used to mock the Prime Minister's modest family background and employ disrespectful language toward his revered mother. Today, this same level of base politics has reached the top leadership of the Congress. The level of Congress politics is setting new records of decline every day," he said. Rajnath continued and said, "Turning ideological opposition into personal insult, dragging political disagreement to the level of abusive language, and targeting Prime Minister's family reflects the Congress's desperation and ideological vacuum. This is not just an insult to one individual or family, but an assault on the dignity of Indian politics as well." "In democracy, oppose, question policies, criticize the government, but do not violate personal decorum. Today, the Congress has fallen not only politically but also ideologically. The Congress should remember that in democracy, the public keeps account of everything and responds when the time comes. I want to make it clear to the Congress that Prime Minister Modi cannot be distracted by such remarks, nor can their resolve for public service be weakened," the Union Minister concluded. Amid the raging row over its chief Mallikarjun Kharge's "baap" remarks, the Congress claimed that a BJP worker first insulted Kharge's late father while he was speaking in Patna which prompted the veteran leader to refer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "ideological father", the RSS. Shashwat Bhandari is the Associate Editor at Times Now. With 14 years of experience in the news and media industry, he understands the responsibility ... View More