NEW DELHI: The BJP on Sunday announced it will hold nationwide protests on Monday against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father, PTI reported.
The ruling party's reaction followed Kharge's remarks during an event in Patna marking the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar's first chief minister, Shrikrishna Singh, where he said the Congress would send those responsible for alleged irregularities in the SIR process to jail.
When a member of the audience interrupted, saying Modi would not go anywhere unless there was a rebellion, Kharge retorted: "Modi ka baap bhi jayega, baap bhi jayega" (Even Modi's father would go).
The BJP called the remark "insulting, indecent and offensive" and said the Congress chief was using language "associated with thugs and hooligans," reflecting what it called the "ideological bankruptcy" of a party that now appeared more like a "mafia gang."
Home Minister Amit Shah said Kharge had "torn apart all norms of decorum" with the remark, and alleged that the Congress has previously targeted Modi's mother and mocked his background, calling him "chaiwala" among other terms.
The Congress, in response, said a BJP worker had first insulted Kharge's own late father during his Patna speech, prompting Kharge to refer to Modi's "ideological father," the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), rather than making a literal remark. Congress media head Pawan Khera said a BJP worker had shouted that "even if your father comes, Modi won't go," before Kharge's retort.
The BJP's allies LJP and JD(U) also condemned Kharge's remark. Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi called it "unfortunate" and reflective of "the Congress's frustration and lack of political decorum."
A BJP worker, Krishna Kumar Singh, later filed a police complaint against Kharge at a Patna police station over the remark, urging him to apologise within 24 hours. The complaint has since been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Gandhi Maidan police station, an officer said.