Srinagar, Oct 25 (JKNS): Senior BJP leader and Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi over the reported remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event in Patna, demanding an unconditional apology from both leaders for what he described as an affront to the dignity of the Prime Minister’s constitutional office.
Thakur said the Prime Minister holds a constitutional position that deserves respect, and political opposition cannot be used as a licence for personal attacks or derogatory language.
“The Congress leadership has stooped to a new low. Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi must apologise to the nation for allowing political discourse to sink to such a level. You can oppose the Prime Minister’s policies, question the government and fight elections, but making derogatory remarks against the country’s elected leadership is unacceptable. Congress must learn that political rivalry does not give anyone the right to undermine the dignity of constitutional offices,” Thakur said.
Reacting to reports of a commotion at the Patna event, where a man reportedly raised a slogan in support of Prime Minister Modi and was subsequently assaulted, Thakur said violence and intimidation could never be justified in a democratic society.
“If the Congress claims to be a champion of democracy, it must demonstrate that commitment by respecting the right to dissent. No person should be assaulted for expressing a political opinion. Democracy is about listening to opposing voices, not silencing them through intimidation. The reported incident in Patna exposes the contradiction between Congress’s public lectures on democracy and its conduct at political gatherings,” he said.
Thakur accused Congress of attempting to replace lok tantra with bheed tantra, alleging that the party was increasingly relying on political theatrics and personal attacks instead of presenting a credible vision for the country.
“Congress wants to defeat lok tantra with bheed tantra, but the truth is that the people of India stand with Modiji. The strength of a democracy lies in the people’s mandate, not in the volume of slogans or the aggression of a political crowd. The Congress leadership should stop mistaking noise for public support,” he said.
Drawing a parallel between Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar, Thakur said Congress’s political position in both places reflected its failure to connect with the aspirations of ordinary people.
“Congress’s political condition in Jammu and Kashmir is a warning sign for the party, and the same reality is confronting it in Bihar. The party has repeatedly failed to convince people that it has a credible roadmap for development, employment and good governance. Instead of introspection, its leaders are busy targeting Prime Minister Modi. This politics of desperation will not restore public confidence,” Thakur said.
He said the Congress leadership must explain its political failures rather than divert attention through confrontational rhetoric, adding that people were more concerned about development, national progress and accountable governance.
“Modiji has earned the trust of millions through his leadership and work. The Congress may continue its attacks, but the final word belongs to the people. They will answer through the ballot and demonstrate once again that India’s democracy cannot be held hostage to the politics of personal abuse and intimidation,” Thakur added.
