GovernmentUpdated 25 Oct 2026
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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made a sharp remark about the Prime Minister's father in Patna on 2026-10-25. The BJP called it abusive and asked for an apology. Congress says he was answering a heckler and aiming at the RSS.
On 2026-10-25, Mallikarjun Kharge spoke at an event in Patna, Bihar. A man in the crowd shouted that Narendra Modi would not go anywhere. Kharge replied, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega," which means "Even Modi's father will go." The BJP reacted the same day. Reports say the heckler was hit and removed. Our sources do not say who did it.
The row shows how harsh political language has become. Each party uses it to attack the other's way of speaking. It also puts a spotlight on Kharge's same-speech claims about voter lists and "vote theft" (a charge that the BJP wins unfairly). It raises a question many readers ask. Where does free speech end and abuse begin?
Our sources name no law, section or rule that either party says was broken. The free-speech idea is in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. It lets citizens speak freely. Article 19(2) lets the state set reasonable limits. No court has ruled on this remark, and our sources found no police case.
The BJP says the remark was abusive, and it wants an apology from Congress. Congress says Kharge was answering a heckler. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera says the target was the RSS, which he calls the Prime Minister's "ideological mentor". The RSS is a Hindu organisation linked to the BJP.
Our sources do not show whether Kharge or Congress will apologise. They show no police complaint, no case and no court hearing. They do not settle what Kharge meant. Congress plans a mass gathering on 2026-11-01. Our sources do not say who hit the heckler.
The causes and the earlier steps behind this issue.
Congress and the BJP had been at odds over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Congress also made "vote theft" charges. This set a heated mood before the Patna event.
Kharge spoke at an event for the 139th birth anniversary of Dr Shri Krishna Singh, Bihar's first chief minister. The speech covered the SIR, the RSS and "vote theft".
Congress plans a mass gathering. The BJP's Pradeep Bhandari says it will fail.
Whether Kharge or Congress apologises, as the BJP demands.
Whether any police complaint or case follows over the remark or the heckler.
Hard words used on this page, in plain English.
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The BJP says Kharge used abusive, indecent language about the Prime Minister's father. It says Congress should apologise.
Evidence it cites
BJP president Nitin Nabin calls it Congress's ideological bankruptcy. Home Minister Amit Shah says Kharge tore apart norms of decorum.
Weak point critics raise
Critics say our sources show no Congress reply to Nabin's charge about family members. Congress says the remark was a reply to a heckler.
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On 2026-10-25, Mallikarjun Kharge spoke at an event in Patna, Bihar. A man in the crowd shouted that Narendra Modi would not go anywhere. Kharge replied, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega," which means "Even Modi's father will go." The BJP reacted the same day. Reports say the heckler was hit and removed. Our sources do not say who did it.
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The row shows how harsh political language has become. Each party uses it to attack the other's way of speaking. It also puts a spotlight on Kharge's same-speech claims about voter lists and "vote theft" (a charge that the BJP wins unfairly). It raises a question many readers ask. Where does free speech end and abuse begin?
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Our sources name no law, section or rule that either party says was broken. The free-speech idea is in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. It lets citizens speak freely. Article 19(2) lets the state set reasonable limits. No court has ruled on this remark, and our sources found no police case.
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The BJP says the remark was abusive, and it wants an apology from Congress. Congress says Kharge was answering a heckler. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera says the target was the RSS, which he calls the Prime Minister's "ideological mentor". The RSS is a Hindu organisation linked to the BJP.
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Our sources do not show whether Kharge or Congress will apologise. They show no police complaint, no case and no court hearing. They do not settle what Kharge meant. Congress plans a mass gathering on 2026-11-01. Our sources do not say who hit the heckler.
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Date of the remark: 2026-10-25 Birth anniversary marked at the event: 139th Planned Congress mass gathering: 2026-11-01 Court rulings on the remark found: None
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Our sources frame the row as free speech versus decency in public life. They give no legal argument from either side.
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Critics of the remark say public leaders should keep some dignity in how they speak about each other.
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Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks on PM Modi's parents and the BJP's response Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made a sharp remark about the Prime Minister's father in Patna on 2026-10-25. The BJP called it abusive and asked for an apology. Congress says he was answering a heckler and aiming at the RSS. TIMELINE 2026-10-25: Kharge speaks in Patna at an event for the 139th birth anniversary of Dr Shri Krishna Singh. A heckler shouts. Kharge replies with the "baap" remark. 2026-10-25: The BJP reacts the same day. Its leaders call the remark indecent and ask Congress to apologise. 2026-10-25: Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera defends Kharge. He says the remark was aimed at the RSS. 2026-10-25: In the same speech, Kharge calls for a nationwide movement against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. THE BASICS What happened? On 2026-10-25, Mallikarjun Kharge spoke at an event in Patna, Bihar. A man in the crowd shouted that Narendra Modi would not go anywhere. Kharge replied, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega," which means "Even Modi's father will go." The BJP reacted the same day. Reports say the heckler was hit and removed. Our sources do not say who did it. Why does it matter? The row shows how harsh political language has become. Each party uses it to attack the other's way of speaking. It also puts a spotlight on Kharge's same-speech claims about voter lists and "vote theft" (a charge that the BJP wins unfairly). It raises a question many readers ask. Where does free speech end and abuse begin? What do the law and the Constitution say? Our sources name no law, section or rule that either party says was broken. The free-speech idea is in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. It lets citizens speak freely. Article 19(2) lets the state set reasonable limits. No court has ruled on this remark, and our sources found no police case. What does each side say? The BJP says the remark was abusive, and it wants an apology from Congress. Congress says Kharge was answering a heckler. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera says the target was the RSS, which he calls the Prime Minister's "ideological mentor". The RSS is a Hindu organisation linked to the BJP. What is still undecided? Our sources do not show whether Kharge or Congress will apologise. They show no police complaint, no case and no court hearing. They do not settle what Kharge meant. Congress plans a mass gathering on 2026-11-01. Our sources do not say who hit the heckler. FACTS AND FIGURES Date of the remark: 2026-10-25 (The Statesman) Birth anniversary marked at the event: 139th (PTC News) Planned Congress mass gathering: 2026-11-01 (The Statesman) Court rulings on the remark found: None (The Statesman) PERSPECTIVES Constitutional lens: Our sources frame the row as free speech versus decency in public life. They give no legal argument from either side. - Article 19(1)(a) protects free speech for citizens. - Article 19(2) allows reasonable limits set by the state. - Neither party in our sources cites a law. - No court has ruled on this remark. Social lens: Critics of the remark say public leaders should keep some dignity in how they speak about each other. - BJP president Nitin Nabin says opposition politics should keep dignity. - He calls Kharge's language indecent. - Congress says Kharge was answering a heckler. - The row shows how sharp political language has become. Argued benefit for India: Kharge and Congress say a nationwide movement against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) would protect fair voting. - Kharge calls the SIR fight a "second war of independence". - He says the BJP wins through "vote theft". - The BJP rejects such charges. - The SIR is the Election Commission's re-check of voter lists. Argued risk for India: BJP leaders say such language harms the quality of political debate. - Amit Shah says Kharge tore apart norms of decorum. - The BJP says the language was once linked with "goons and hooligans". - The BJP calls it Congress's ideological bankruptcy. - Congress says the remark was aimed at the RSS. HOW WE GOT HERE Fight over voter lists: Congress and the BJP had been at odds over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Congress also made "vote theft" charges. This set a heated mood before the Patna event. The Patna event: Kharge spoke at an event for the 139th birth anniversary of Dr Shri Krishna Singh, Bihar's first chief minister. The speech covered the SIR, the RSS and "vote theft". The heckler and the reply: A man in the crowd shouted that Modi would not go. Kharge replied with the "baap" remark. That reply is what the BJP and Congress now read in different ways. Party reactions: The BJP called the remark indecent and asked for an apology. Congress said it was aimed at the RSS. Both sides used the row to attack the other's conduct. EACH SIDE'S CASE The BJP: The BJP says Kharge used abusive, indecent language about the Prime Minister's father. It says Congress should apologise. - Evidence it cites: BJP president Nitin Nabin calls it Congress's ideological bankruptcy. Home Minister Amit Shah says Kharge tore apart norms of decorum. - Weak point critics raise: Critics say our sources show no Congress reply to Nabin's charge about family members. Congress says the remark was a reply to a heckler. Congress: Congress says Kharge was answering a heckler. Spokesperson Pawan Khera says the target was the RSS, not the Prime Minister's family. - Evidence it cites: The Indian Express reports Kharge snapped back at a heckler. The Statesman says he apparently misunderstood the man as a Modi supporter. - Weak point critics raise: Critics say reports allege Congress workers hit the heckler. They also say Kharge repeated the phrase, per IANS. Our sources show no Congress reply. WHO IS SAYING WHAT Nitin Nabin (BJP president): Says Kharge's language towards the Prime Minister was indecent and shows Congress's ideological bankruptcy. Pawan Khera (Congress spokesperson): Says the remark was aimed at the RSS, which he calls the Prime Minister's ideological mentor. Pradeep Bhandari (BJP spokesperson): Says Kharge spoke out of frustration and that Congress expects its 2026-11-01 rally to fail. The Statesman (Indian daily newspaper): Frames it as a political row. Says Kharge apparently misunderstood the heckler as a Modi supporter. The Indian Express (Indian daily newspaper): Stresses that Kharge was snapping back at a heckler, and that he accused the BJP of vote theft. WHAT TO WATCH NEXT 2026-11-01: Congress plans a mass gathering. The BJP's Pradeep Bhandari says it will fail. Whether Kharge or Congress apologises, as the BJP demands. Whether any police complaint or case follows over the remark or the heckler. WORDS EXPLAINED heckler: A person who shouts at a speaker during a speech. Special Intensive Revision (SIR): The Election Commission's re-check of voter lists. It decides who stays on the list. RSS: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu organisation linked to the BJP. vote theft: A charge by Kharge that the BJP wins elections unfairly. The BJP rejects this charge. Article 19(1)(a): The part of the Constitution that lets every citizen speak and express views freely. Article 19(2): The part of the Constitution that lets the state set reasonable limits on free speech. decorum: Polite and proper behaviour expected in public life. ideological bankruptcy: A charge that a party has run out of ideas and relies on abuse instead. WHAT THE SOURCES SHOW Established: On 2026-10-25, Kharge said "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" in Patna after a heckler shouted. The BJP criticised it the same day. Our sources found no apology, police case or court ruling. Claimed by one side: The BJP says the remark was abusive and indecent, and it wants an apology. Claimed by the other side: Congress says Kharge was answering a heckler. Pawan Khera says the target was the RSS. Not yet decided: What Kharge meant. Who hit the heckler. Reports differ on the heckler's name and exact words. Whether Congress will apologise. SOURCES The Hindu - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar/kharges-remark-in-bihar-pm-modi-father-sparks-row-bjp-congress/article71623852.ece The Indian Express - https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/narendra-modi-mallikarjun-kharge-bihar-vote-theft-shri-krishna-babu-10936383/ The Statesman - https://www.thestatesman.com/india/modi-ka-baap-bhi-jaayega-kharges-remark-on-pms-father-triggers-political-row-bjp-hits-back-1503654887.html PTC News - https://www.ptcnews.tv/amp/nation/congress-president-mallikarjun-kharge-sparks-row-over-baap-retort-against-pm-modi-4430942 The Times of India - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/second-war-of-independence-kharge-targets-bjp-rss-calls-for-nationwide-movement-against-sir/articleshow/135189503.cms NDTV - https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/storm-over-m-kharges-baap-retort-against-pm-modi-then-comes-a-misunderstanding-twist-12233627 The Times of India - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mallikarjun-kharges-baap-remark-on-pm-modi-sparks-row-bjp-hits-back/articleshow/135191593.cms India Today - https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/row-over-remark-on-pm-modis-parents-nda-slams-mallikarjun-kharge-bihar-mandate-row-escalates-ytvd-3024775-2026-10-25 ANI News - https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/pawan-khera-defends-kharges-remarks-against-pm-modi-calls-it-directed-at-pms-ideological-mentor-rss20261025204645 News18 - https://www.news18.com/india/ideological-bankruptcy-of-congress-bjp-hits-back-at-kharge-over-modi-ka-baap-bhi-jayega-remark-10397094.html Hindustan Times - https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kharge-modi-ka-baap-remark-row-bjp-amit-shah-slam-congress-chief-bihar-patna-mallikarjun-congress-party-pm-101792934629969.html The Hindu - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar/india-will-not-have-lasting-peace-until-rss-ideology-is-dismantled-kharge/article71623455.ece More: https://socialwire.in/issues/mallikarjun-kharge-s-remarks-on-pm-modi-s-parents-and-the-bj
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A man in the crowd shouted that Modi would not go. Kharge replied with the "baap" remark. That reply is what the BJP and Congress now read in different ways.
The BJP called the remark indecent and asked for an apology. Congress said it was aimed at the RSS. Both sides used the row to attack the other's conduct.
Congress says Kharge was answering a heckler. Spokesperson Pawan Khera says the target was the RSS, not the Prime Minister's family.
Evidence it cites
The Indian Express reports Kharge snapped back at a heckler. The Statesman says he apparently misunderstood the man as a Modi supporter.
Weak point critics raise
Critics say reports allege Congress workers hit the heckler. They also say Kharge repeated the phrase, per IANS. Our sources show no Congress reply.
Experts, public figures and news outlets, in how they frame it. Each is listed with a source.
Nitin NabinOfficialBJP president
Says Kharge's language towards the Prime Minister was indecent and shows Congress's ideological bankruptcy.
Pawan KheraOfficialCongress spokesperson
Says the remark was aimed at the RSS, which he calls the Prime Minister's ideological mentor.
Pradeep BhandariOfficialBJP spokesperson
Says Kharge spoke out of frustration and that Congress expects its 2026-11-01 rally to fail.
The StatesmanNews outletIndian daily newspaper
Frames it as a political row. Says Kharge apparently misunderstood the heckler as a Modi supporter.
The Indian ExpressNews outletIndian daily newspaper
Stresses that Kharge was snapping back at a heckler, and that he accused the BJP of vote theft.
Our sources frame the row as free speech versus decency in public life. They give no legal argument from either side.
Critics of the remark say public leaders should keep some dignity in how they speak about each other.
Kharge and Congress say a nationwide movement against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) would protect fair voting.
BJP leaders say such language harms the quality of political debate.
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Kharge and Congress say a nationwide movement against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) would protect fair voting.
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BJP leaders say such language harms the quality of political debate.
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Established: On 2026-10-25, Kharge said "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" in Patna after a heckler shouted. The BJP criticised it the same day. Our sources found no apology, police case or court ruling. Claimed by one side: The BJP says the remark was abusive and indecent, and it wants an apology. Claimed by the other side: Congress says Kharge was answering a heckler. Pawan Khera says the target was the RSS. Not yet decided: What Kharge meant. Who hit the heckler. Reports differ on the heckler's name and exact words. Whether Congress will apologise.