Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Even as the senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor refused red too much between the lines of the party president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged use of abusive language for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s father and the party secretary KC Venugopal defended him saying that he had made reference to the BJP’s “ideological father” RSS, another senior party leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has found fault with his party president and suggested he should apologise.
While pointing out that the BJP leaders had in the past made similar uncivilised remarks against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and many other Congress leaders, Mr Chavan said on Tuesday that Mr Kharge ought not have made such a statement and should apologise to close the matter. He said Mr Kharge had made a “mistake” with his controversial remarks on Mr Modi and added that civil language should never be compromised by leaders from any political party.
In contrast, Mr Tharoor, speaking on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, had urged restraint and said there was no need to make a “big song and dance” or blow the issue out of proportion. He said Mr Kharge had only used the common phrase “Modi ka baap bhi jayega” (Even Modi’s father will go) during an event in Patna, Bihar, while responding to an audience member who claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not go anywhere. Tharoor argued that people in India have a habit of exaggerating political dramas and that Kharge’s intended meaning was clear rather than malicious.
Seizing the opportunity, the BJP heavily criticized Kharge’s remarks, accusing him of using language associated with “thugs and hooligans” and showing a lack of basic political decorum. Defending the party president, the Congress organising secretary Venugopal had said Mr Kharge did not mean any ill for Mr Modi’s father but had only referred to his “ideological father” the RSS.
Asked for his comment on the issue at a media conference in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, Mr Chavan said every political party should maintain decorum in language. But he also referred to intemperate language used by the BJP against the Congress leaders in the past. He said while Kharge’s remarks were uncalled for, “I believe that civil language should never be abandoned, whichever the party. If he (Kharge) has said something – perhaps inadvertently – he should provide an explanation. But let me ask you: your leaders made remarks about Rahul Gandhi. Both sides are at fault here.”
Referring to past statements, he noted that BJP leaders had once remarked that Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother could not stop the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and others had made inappropriate references to Sonia Gandhi. “Kharge also made a mistake – he is a senior leader, and he will provide his own clarification…We are not sworn enemies; we simply wish to advance our respective ideologies,” he said.
He stated that during his tenure as an MP, he had seen leaders across party lines remaining cordial with each other despite intense debates in Parliament. “We would fiercely debate – even clash – with leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sushma Swaraj, and Jaswant Singh, yet outside the chamber. That is no longer the case. Now, it feels as though opposition party leaders have become bitter, sworn enemies,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has granted permission to the Congress to hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 1, subject to a set of strict conditions, including a 5 PM deadline for concluding the event and a ban on inflammatory speeches.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc will hold a mega “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” (Save the Vote, Save the Nation) rally at the Ramlila maidan in New Delhi on Sunday. In its no-objection certificate (NOC), the Delhi Police said the rally could be held from 10 AM to 5 PM, subject to prior permission from the land-owning authority and compliance with the conditions laid down by the police.
The police has directed the organisers to ensure that the gathering remains peaceful and that no violence, disruption of public order or unruly behaviour takes place. The rally must conclude by 5 PM, after which participants must begin dispersing. The event cannot be extended under any circumstances.
The permission also prohibits participants from staying overnight at Ramlila Maidan either before or after the rally. The NOC also warns that any violation of the conditions or failure to follow police directions could lead to legal action against the organisers and revocation of permission for the rally.
It also said high-definition cameras must be installed at the entry and exit gates, the stage, seating areas, and the surrounding vicinity. A control room equipped with recording facilities and at least five monitors must also be set up. A sufficient number of volunteers must be deployed to ensure the rally proceeds in an organised manner. All volunteers must be identifiable through a uniform dress code or badges.
It said no speeches may be delivered from the stage that could incite tension among people based on caste, religion, or skin colour, or that might undermine social harmony. If any speaker delivered an inflammatory or threatening speech, the organisers must immediately switch off the microphone and remove the speaker from the stage. No marching beyond Ramlila Maidan: During the rally, no marches from Ramlila Maidan to any other location will be permitted. It said the organisers must provide the police with a list of invitees and volunteers, a minute-by-minute schedule of the event, and the number of buses along with their registration details.