The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its intention to hold nationwide protests on October 26, 2026, condemning what it described as "inappropriate and offensive remarks" made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ruling party asserted that Mr. Kharge’s comments constituted a direct attack on the dignity of the Prime Minister's family and were highly objectionable.

BJP leaders reacted strongly to the statements, which were delivered by the Congress chief in Patna. Union Home Minister Amit Shah publicly criticised the Congress, accusing the party of engaging in personal attacks and abusing the Prime Minister and his family. Mr. Shah linked this behaviour to what he termed the Congress's electoral disappointments. The BJP further characterised the remarks as "indecent," with one party leader reportedly likening Mr. Kharge to Duryodhana, a prominent antagonist in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, to underscore the perceived gravity of the comments and the depth of their condemnation.

The core of the controversy stems from Mr. Kharge's specific "baap" remark. While the BJP viewed this comment as gravely disrespectful and an attack on the Prime Minister's personal integrity, a person identified as Santosh Kumar, who was reportedly pushed out of the venue, offered an alternative explanation for the statement. Mr. Kumar claimed the remark was taken out of context, stating, "I was saying that unless there is a revolt, Modi will not go. Only one part of that sentence was heard and was misunderstood," suggesting that a partial hearing led to a misinterpretation of the full statement's intent.

In response to the BJP's condemnation, the Congress party moved to defend its president. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that Mr. Kharge himself has been subjected to repeated disrespect from the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), implying a pattern of provocation. This latest verbal altercation adds to a history of contentious exchanges, as the Congress chief has previously drawn criticism from the BJP for a series of remarks concerning Prime Minister Modi, indicating ongoing political friction between the two prominent national figures. Beyond this specific dispute, Mr. Kharge also used the occasion to express his apprehension regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, characterising the process as a potential threat to democratic principles.

The scheduled nationwide demonstrations by the BJP underscore the intensifying political rivalry between India's two largest national parties. These protests are explicitly intended to publicly register the BJP's profound objection to what it perceives as an affront to the Prime Minister’s office and his family. By organising these demonstrations, the BJP aims to ensure the incident remains a significant point of contention in the national political discourse, amplifying its message of condemnation across the country leading up to the designated protest date.