Heated Exchange in Rajya Sabha as BJP and Congress Clash over Kharge’s Remarks

NEW DELHI:
The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday turned into a battleground as a heated confrontation erupted between the Treasury and Opposition benches over Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks, which the BJP deemed “objectionable and unconstitutional.”

The uproar began when Kharge, in response to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s statements, used the word “thokenge” (thrashing). The comment triggered immediate protests from BJP members, leading to a sharp verbal exchange between both sides.

Taking strong exception to the language used, Leader of the House J.P. Nadda demanded that Kharge either withdraw his remarks or apologize, insisting that such comments had no place in parliamentary discourse. The controversy unfolded just as Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was preparing to respond to a discussion on the Education Ministry’s work, with Kharge also questioning the absence of the Education Minister from the House.

Nadda accused Kharge of undermining the dignity of the Chair, stating, “Casting aspersions on the Chair by a seasoned lawmaker like Kharge is highly condemnable. He must apologize or have his words expunged from the House records.”

Amidst the chaos, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh stepped in, urging members to restore order and maintain decorum.
Realizing the controversy his words had sparked, Kharge clarified that his comments were not directed at the Deputy Chairman. “If my words have hurt your sentiments, I apologize. But my remarks were not aimed at you. If a minister makes an uncivilized statement against a particular region of the country, they should be called out,” Kharge asserted.

Following Kharge’s clarification, Nadda welcomed the apology but maintained that the Congress leader should formally withdraw his comments. “It is good that Kharge has retracted his words. His gesture is appreciated, but his remarks against the government remain unacceptable,” he stated.

The episode has given the BJP fresh ammunition to target the Congress leadership, and the ruling party is expected to escalate its criticism of Kharge in the coming days.