Delhi BJP Protests Near Mallikarjun Kharge’s Residence, Demands Apology Over Remarks on PM Modi
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest near the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Monday, October 26, 2026, demanding an apology over remarks he made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public event in Patna. Police stopped BJP workers as they attempted to march from Sena Bhawan Circle towards Kharge’s residence on Rajaji Marg.
The demonstration was part of a wider BJP protest campaign announced in response to Kharge’s comments, which triggered criticism from senior BJP leaders and renewed political exchanges between the ruling party and the Congress. The BJP also demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
What Led to the Protest?
The controversy arose during an event in Patna on Sunday commemorating the 139th birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh, Bihar’s first chief minister. During his address, Kharge spoke about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and said that those responsible would be sent to jail.
An audience member interrupted the speech, saying that Modi would not go anywhere. Kharge responded with the phrase, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega,” which drew criticism from BJP leaders, who interpreted it as an insult directed at the Prime Minister’s late father.
The remarks quickly became a political issue, with the BJP announcing demonstrations across state headquarters on Monday. Party leaders called on Kharge to apologise and criticised the Congress leadership over the statement.
BJP Workers Stopped by Police in Delhi
In the national capital, BJP leaders and workers gathered near Sena Bhawan Circle and attempted to march towards Kharge’s residence on Rajaji Marg. Police stopped the group before it could reach the residence.
The protesters raised slogans against the Congress president and demanded an apology from Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The demonstration reflected the BJP’s broader response to the remarks, with party leaders arguing that public statements about the Prime Minister’s family crossed acceptable political boundaries.
The protest took place amid a broader exchange between the BJP and Congress over political language, personal remarks and standards of public discourse.
Protests Reported in Other States
The BJP’s response extended beyond Delhi. In Patna, Bihar BJP leaders and supporters organised a ‘Jan Akrosh March’, led by state party president Sanjay Saraogi. Participants marched from the party headquarters towards Dak Bungalow Chauraha and burned an effigy of Kharge.
Demonstrations were also reported in cities including Bengaluru, Lucknow and Jammu. In Bengaluru, BJP workers gathered at Freedom Park, while party supporters in Jammu protested against the Congress president. These actions followed the BJP’s call for coordinated demonstrations over the remarks.
Senior BJP leaders also criticised Kharge publicly. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the comments had hurt people’s sentiments, while other party leaders demanded an apology and questioned the Congress leadership’s response. These statements represented the BJP’s position in the political dispute.
Congress Challenges the BJP’s Interpretation
The Congress disputed the BJP’s account of the exchange. The party said a person in the audience had first made a remark involving Kharge’s late father and Prime Minister Modi. Congress leaders argued that Kharge’s response referred to Modi’s ideological association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), rather than being an attack on the Prime Minister’s family.
Congress communications chief Pawan Khera criticised the BJP for turning the episode into a controversy and said the context of the exchange should be considered. The competing interpretations have become a central part of the political dispute.
The controversy has also drawn responses from other political figures. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Bhai Virendra described the remark as a possible slip of the tongue and said Kharge did not need to apologise. Other opposition voices criticised what they described as selective outrage over controversial political remarks.
Political Dispute Continues
The protests highlight the latest confrontation between the BJP and Congress over public statements made by senior political leaders. The BJP is seeking an apology from Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, while Congress leaders have challenged the BJP’s interpretation of the comments and pointed to the context in which they were made.
As of October 26, 2026, the reported Delhi protest had been stopped by police before the demonstrators reached Kharge’s residence. The episode has prompted protests in multiple cities and further exchanges between the two parties.
The dispute remains centred on the wording and context of Kharge’s response in Patna, along with the political responsibility parties say their leaders should take for public remarks. Any subsequent apology or further official response should be verified through updated statements from the parties involved.
