BJP workers stage a protest against Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's remark referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father as a "violation of political decorum" and derogatory, in Patna, Monday, (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: The BJP on Monday staged a nationwide protest against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s “abusive language” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded a personal apology from the Congress president. Protests were held at several places, including in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Mumbai and Kolkata among other cities, where BJP leaders and workers also burnt Kharge’s effigies. Protest was also held near Kharge’s residence in the national capital by the BJP state unit.

A day after Kharge’s controversial “Modi ka baap bhi jayega” remark at a party event in Patna, defence minister Rajnath Singh decried Kharge’s remarks as “extremely unfortunate". He said the remark reflects that the main Opposition party has not just suffered a political downfall but an ideological downfall as well.

Singh said the Congress president’s remarks have hurt the sentiments of crores of people of the country. The Union minister said turning ideological Opposition into “personal insults” and dragging political disagreement down to “abusive language" and targeting the Prime Minister’s family reflect the Congress’ “frustration and ideological bankruptcy".

“I believe this is not merely an insult to an individual or a family, but an attack on the dignity of Indian politics. In a democracy, one can oppose, question policies and criticise the government, but personal boundaries must be respected. This is what I would like to suggest,” Singh said.

He added that given the position Kharge holds, he was expected to demonstrate “greater seriousness, restraint, dignity and responsible conduct in public life”. Singh also said that the standard of Congress politics was declining by the day.

He also slammed the Congress for attempting to “justify” Kharge’s remark and defend him, instead of “accepting the mistake and expressing regret.”

Meanwhile, in Delhi, the protesters were stopped by the police when they tried to march from Sena Bhavan circle towards Kharge’s residence on Rajaji Marg.

Around 2,000 BJP workers and leaders, including state president Harsh Malhotra, were detained as protesters attempted to break barricades and march forward, the Delhi BJP said in a statement.

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