New Delhi, July 8 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today accused Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge of insulting President Droupadi Murmu and disrespecting her tribal identity through derogatory remarks and demanded a written public apology.
At a press briefing here, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also called for Kharge’s resignation, accusing him of displaying an “anti-tribal and anti-Dalit” mindset. He further highlighted past instances of disrespect towards former President Ram Nath Kovind by Congress leaders.
“We ask Mallikarjun Kharge to offer a written apology for his distasteful and derogatory remarks against the President of India and former President Ram Nath Kovind, both of whom represent the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste communities—communities that epitomize hard work and serve as an inspiration for millions of Indians,” he added.
Bhatia’s remarks came in response to Kharge’s statement at an event in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, where he raised concerns over deforestation in the state. Kharge had alleged, “They just talk big; we made Murmu ji President of India, we made (Ram Nath) Kovind President. Yes, you did, but for what? To snatch our property? To snatch our jungles? To stop our water? They have done this to snatch our land…”
“The objectionable words that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge ji has used for President of India Droupadi Murmu ji goes to show that an anti-adivasi mentality runs in the DNA of the Congress. They have (also) disrespected former President Ram Nath Kovind — (this is) anti-Dalit mentality,” Bhatia alleged.
He further accused Rahul Gandhi of manipulating Kharge, noting, “The same Rahul Gandhi who carries a copy of the Constitution with him is behind such divisive and derogatory remarks from Kharge. This is a clear indication that the Congress President is being remotely controlled by the Gandhi family.”
Continuing his tirade against the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, for allegedly giving a nod to Kharge’s remarks. “Rahul Gandhi is injecting poison into national politics with these anti-tribal, anti-Dalit, and anti-women comments. His baseless allegations against the President, accusing her of ‘snatching’ land and resources, are not only unproven but undermine the sanctity of the Constitution.”
The BJP leader also questioned whether such actions served to strengthen India or were part of a concerted effort to discredit constitutional institutions. “Is this how you will strengthen India? Is this how you will discharge your duty as Leader of Opposition? The whole country knows that if there is any land mafia, it is the fake Gandhi family, including Robert Vadra,” Bhatia said.
Bhatia cited past instances of disrespect by Congress leaders, including a written apology by senior leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for a similar remark against President Murmu.
“This is not a slip of tongue, this is very much intentional, and the remote-controlled president governed by the fake Gandhi-surnamed family is following the diktats of Rahul Gandhi…if Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in writing apologised, we ask…would Mallikarjun Kharge also render a written apology for his distasteful and derogatory remark made against the President of India as well as the former President of India who represent the Scheduled Tribe community and the Scheduled Caste community who are epitome of hard work…have inspired hard work to rise to the highest constitutional office,” he demanded.
The BJP also accused the Congress party of having disrespected every major constitutional office and institution, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and bodies such as the Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Enforcement Directorate, and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
