Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a protest in Bhopal on Monday against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father. BJP leaders and workers marched towards the Congress office and raised slogans against Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress party.
Protesters gathered near the Red Cross Hospital intersection in the state capital and proceeded towards the Congress office. BJP workers also burned an effigy of Mallikarjun Kharge. The protesters said they would not tolerate such behavior from the Congress President.
BJP leaders target Kharge and Rahul Gandhi
BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma said the protest was against Kharge’s alleged misconduct, Rahul Gandhi’s behavior, and the anarchy of the Congress party. He said the BJP is also protesting in support of the elderly and respected individuals about whom they believe Rahul Gandhi and Kharge make derogatory remarks.
Sharma said that regardless of a person’s political party affiliation, their parents deserve respect and honor. He said the BJP will not tolerate disrespect for its respected individuals. He also objected to the alleged disrespect shown toward the judiciary and the Election Commission and demanded that Rahul Gandhi and Kharge reform their behavior.
BJP National Vice President Lal Singh Arya said the party is holding a peaceful protest against the Congress’s alleged inappropriate behavior. He alleged that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi repeatedly behave inappropriately.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani said Kharge’s remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father are unacceptable. He said BJP workers have gathered to protest this comment and warn the Congress to stop using such language.
Congress and BJP workers face off, police use water cannon
Congress workers were also present outside their party office during the protest. As BJP workers demonstrated near the Congress office, workers from both parties clashed.
Police personnel were deployed between the two sides to control the situation. Police also used water cannon to disperse the crowd and prevent a potential clash.
Additional DCP Shailendra Singh Chauhan stated that the BJP’s protest had been scheduled in advance and barricades had been erected. However, some workers from the other party crossed the barricades. They were stopped and action was taken to remove them from the scene.
The police officer stated that light water cannons were used to control the crowd and prevent a confrontation between the two sides. He stated that necessary steps have been taken to maintain law and order and peace, and the situation is currently peaceful.
Kharge’s comment sparks political controversy in Patna
It is noteworthy that a political controversy erupted on Sunday in Patna, the capital of Bihar, over a comment made by Mallikarjun Kharge. Kharge was addressing a gathering to mark the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Dr. Krishna Singh.
A person in the audience interrupted him, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not go anywhere. Kharge responded from the stage, “Even Modi’s father will go.”
Kharge’s comment sparked a strong reaction from senior BJP leaders and Union ministers. They accused the Congress of lowering the level of public discourse due to electoral desperation. Following this, the BJP protested against the Congress in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.