BJP protests Kharge remark about Modi’s father

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party held nationwide protests Monday over a remark by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge that it described as offensive to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late father.

The controversy arose during Kharge’s speech at an event in Patna marking the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first chief minister, Shri Krishna Singh. When an audience member interrupted him by saying, “Modi nahi jayega” (“Modi will not go”), Kharge responded, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega,” a Hindi expression that literally translates as “Even Modi’s father will go.” The heckler was reportedly removed by Congress workers.

Kharge’s speech focused on allegations that the BJP-led government and the Election Commission had manipulated electoral rolls. He claimed that a revision of voter lists was being used to remove opposition supporters and called for opposition unity to protect voting rights and the Constitution. The BJP announced demonstrations at its state headquarters, calling Kharge’s response a personal attack that crossed the boundaries of political discourse.

In Bengaluru, police briefly detained several BJP leaders and workers after stopping a protest march outside Freedom Park. Police intervened when some demonstrators allegedly tried to move beyond the designated protest area and push past barricades. Those detained, including senior state BJP leaders, were later released. Protesters demanded an unconditional public apology from Kharge.