Bengaluru, September 21:
Karnataka Legislative Council Chief Whip of the Opposition N. Ravikumar on Monday strongly condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he encouraged the public ridicule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme held in Indore. He demanded that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party tender an unconditional apology to the Prime Minister and the people of the country.
In a press statement issued in Bengaluru, Mr. Ravikumar alleged that Rahul Gandhi laughed and encouraged remarks mocking the Prime Minister, his foreign policy and his late mother during the event. He described the episode as “deeply unfortunate” and said it reflected what he termed the Congress party’s “moral and intellectual bankruptcy.”
The BJP leader said that a person holding the constitutional position of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha was expected to uphold dignity in public life. Instead, he alleged, allowing and encouraging personal ridicule of the Prime Minister at a student gathering demonstrated irresponsible political conduct.
Mr. Ravikumar further claimed that making light of the Prime Minister’s diplomatic leadership and India’s global standing amounted to disrespecting the nation’s achievements. He alleged that reducing such issues to political mockery undermined the country’s image.
Expressing strong objection to references allegedly made about the Prime Minister’s late mother, Mr. Ravikumar said political differences should never extend to deceased family members. He described such remarks as contrary to Indian cultural values and said civil public discourse demanded respect even amid political disagreements.
He also accused the Congress of resorting to “cheap political theatrics” instead of engaging in issue-based debates on governance and development. According to him, attempts to attract public attention through personal attacks reflected a lack of constructive political agenda.
Demanding immediate action, Mr. Ravikumar urged Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party to issue an unconditional public apology, stating that the alleged remarks had hurt the sentiments of millions of Indians and insulted the office of the Prime Minister.
He further asserted that the people of the country would respond democratically to what he described as politics based on personal insults rather than public issues.
