‘Brought Shame To Nation’: Amit Shah Slams Mallikarjun Kharge’s Remark On PM Modi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after the senior Congress leader referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist" during a press conference in Chennai, triggering a major political row ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The BJP has now escalated the matter to the Election Commission, calling the remark "grossly derogatory" and seeking action against Kharge.

Amit Shah Calls Kharge's Remark An Insult To The Nation

Reacting strongly to Kharge's comment, Amit Shah accused the Congress of lowering the level of political discourse and said the party had crossed all limits of public conduct.

"Every day, the Congress is hitting new lows in its demeanour, breaking its own record in lowering the standard of public discourse," Shah said. "This insult to the foremost leader of the nation is an insult to the millions of people who love and support Modi Ji. Calling a leader like Modi Ji a terrorist, who has completely curbed terrorism in the last 12 years, is highly condemnable. Every time the Congress hurls abuses at Modi Ji, it is the people of India who answer them. This time too, the people will respond."

Shah's statement came soon after Kharge's controversial remarks drew immediate condemnation from BJP leaders and allies.

Kharge's Chennai Remark Sparks Controversy During AIADMK-BJP Attack

The controversy began when Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the AIADMK's decision to align with the BJP ahead of the Tamil Nadu polls. In a strongly worded criticism, he invoked the legacies of several Dravidian and Dalit icons while targeting the alliance.

"How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won't believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar, Kaliagnar, Baba Saheb Ambedkar."

The statement quickly triggered backlash, with the BJP accusing the Congress of insulting not only the Prime Minister but also voters who support him.

Kharge Clarifies He Meant Modi Was 'Terrorising' Institutions And Parties

After facing criticism over the remark, Kharge later clarified that he did not intend to describe Prime Minister Modi literally as a terrorist, and said his words were meant in a political context.

"He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist," he said. "What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands. Therefore I said, in that context, he is terrorising people and political parties."

Despite the clarification, the BJP maintained that the original statement was unacceptable and demanded a public apology.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also joined the attack and urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to apologise over the episode.

"I feel ashamed that the Congress and the DMK have stooped so low that they are insulting the Prime Minister who is democratically elected by the people of India, by calling him a terrorist," Goyal posted on X. "The Congress and DMK have humiliated 140 crore Indians, including our 8 crore Tamil brothers and sisters, with this statement."

BJP Seeks EC Action, Delegation To Meet Poll Panel On Wednesday

The BJP has formally approached the Election Commission over Kharge's statement, alleging that the remark amounts to a "prima facie" violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

In its memorandum, the party asked the poll body to take immediate cognisance of the matter, direct Kharge to issue a public apology or retraction, and impose suitable campaign restrictions. It also sought proceedings against him under Sections 175, 171/174, and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The party further requested the Election Commission to order the "immediate cessation" of the remark's circulation in campaign material and across digital platforms. It also urged the poll panel to direct media organisations and social media platforms to remove the statement.

A BJP delegation comprising Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju, and Arjun Ram Meghwal is scheduled to meet Election Commission officials on Wednesday to press the matter in person, indicating that the controversy is likely to remain a flashpoint in the run-up to the Tamil Nadu elections.