Defence Minister slams Congress chief for his remarks on Prime Minister

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday (October 26, 2026) criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks about the late father of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a statement to the media, Mr. Singh said the Congress chief’s remarks had hurt the sentiments of crores of Indians. Political Opposition should remain confined to policies and should not violate personal and family decorum, he said.

Describing the remarks made by Mr. Kharge at an event in Patna on Saturday (October 24) as “a reflection of the Congress’s political culture and ideological decline”, Mr. Singh said that instead of admitting its mistake and expressing regret, the Congress was “busy justifying and defending the statement”.

He said a “greater seriousness, restraint, decorum and responsible conduct” was expected from the Congress president in public life, and such remarks went against the “dignity of his office” and raised serious questions about the “political culture” of the Congress.

“Political Opposition has its place, but such conduct cannot be acceptable under any circumstances. Until yesterday, some Congress leaders used to mock the humble family background of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and even used indecent language against his revered mother. Today, the same low-level politics has reached the highest levels of Congress leadership,” he said.

“I believe that this is not merely an insult to an individual or a family, but also an attack on the dignity of Indian politics. Oppose in a democracy, question policies and criticise the government, but at the very least, do not violate the bounds of personal decorum,” said Mr. Singh.