Delhi BJP protesters detained near Kharge’s residence

Around 200 Delhi BJP leaders and workers, including party president Harsh Malhotra, were detained on Monday after police stopped their march towards Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Rajaji Marg over his controversial remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father at a public meeting in Patna.

The protesters demanded an apology from Kharge and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. The demonstration was part of the BJP’s nationwide protest call after the Congress president made the remarks at an event commemorating the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shrikrishna Singh, on Sunday.

The protesters assembled near Sena Bhawan and attempted to march towards Kharge’s residence. Police erected barricades to stop them. When some demonstrators tried to push past the barricades, a heavy police contingent stopped them near Sena Bhawan. Police took those detained to Mandir Marg police station by bus. Delhi BJP leaders demanded that the Congress leadership apologise for objectionable language against the Prime Minister. Malhotra led the demonstration, which party workers from its Purvanchal, youth, and OBC wings joined, along with senior leaders.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for what she described as “abusive” remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made at an event in Patna. She predicted the party would face even heavier electoral defeats in the future.

Responding to reporters’ questions about Kharge’s comments, the Chief Minister alleged that Congress leaders, frustrated by repeated losses and public rejection, had crossed the limits of decency and civilised conduct. “Their frustration is evident from their facial and verbal expressions,” she said, accusing them of routinely using abusive language and not even sparing the Prime Minister’s late parents.

The Chief Minister said voters had given Modi a decisive mandate in the general elections and backed the BJP in several state assemblies, endorsing the development work carried out under his leadership. “People love Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and you cannot remove him from their hearts with abuses,” she said, adding that such conduct would achieve nothing for the Congress.

The CM also warned that the public was closely watching Congress leaders and would not forgive their “misbehaviour.” She said their words were firmly etched in people’s minds and predicted the party would suffer worse defeats in upcoming elections.

The controversy erupted during Kharge’s address at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna on Sunday. Speaking about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Congress president said those responsible for wrongdoing in the process would be sent to jail.

The BJP announced nationwide demonstrations on Monday, demanding an apology from Kharge.

Party leaders argued that political disagreements should not extend to personal remarks about the Prime Minister’s family. The Congress, meanwhile, defended its president amid the criticism.

An audience member interrupted him, saying that Modi would not leave office. Kharge responded, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega, baap bhi jayega.” The remark triggered protests from the BJP, which accused the Congress leader of crossing the limits of political decorum by referring to the Prime Minister’s late father.

The exchange took place during a programme marking the birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh, a prominent freedom fighter who served as Bihar’s first Chief Minister. The event was intended to commemorate his contribution to the State, but the verbal confrontation subsequently became the focus of a political dispute between the Congress and the BJP.