A fiery political row has erupted after Congress leader Udit Raj likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ravan, the mythical demon king whose effigy is burned during Dussehra to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. Speaking to news agency IANS, Raj took a sharp jab at the Prime Minister, accusing him of embodying the traits of a "modern Ravan."
"PM Modi is a symbol of modern Ravana, and the way he is building his golden palace, once he enters it, he will see the same golden palace burn," Raj declared, referencing Modi’s alleged opulence and leadership style. The remark has drawn a scathing response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress of disrespecting the dignity of constitutional offices and peddling an "anti-India" narrative.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a blistering counterattack, calling out the Congress for what he described as a pattern of derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister. "In their blind hatred for one person, the Congress forgets the sanctity of constitutional posts," Poonawalla said. He pointed to past instances where opposition leaders allegedly insulted Modi’s family, including his mother, and targeted his Other Backward Classes (OBC) community.
Also Read: Shivakumar Issues Stern Warning to Congress Workers Against Leadership Change Talk
Poonawalla further criticized Raj, accusing him of having a history of controversial statements, including justifying Maoist actions and labeling the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a "terrorist" organization. "Being anti-Modi and anti-India has become the Congress’s standard operating procedure," he charged, framing the party’s rhetoric as divisive and harmful to national interests.
The BJP spokesperson contrasted Modi’s conduct with that of Congress leaders, highlighting the Prime Minister’s gesture of inquiring about Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s health during an illness. "This reflects the values of the RSS," Poonawalla said, while accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of promoting violence by speaking about "beating the PM with sticks." He added, "They claim to run a 'mohabbat ki dukaan' (market of love), but they are truly a 'nafraat ki bhaijaan' (brotherhood of hatred)."
The BJP also accused the Congress of consistently attacking democratic institutions like the Election Commission and targeting India’s Sanatan culture. "Their hatred for Modi spills over into hatred for the nation and its traditions," Poonawalla alleged, urging the public to see through the opposition’s tactics.
The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions as Dussehra approaches, with the Ravan metaphor amplifying the already charged atmosphere. Raj’s remarks have reignited debates about the boundaries of political discourse, with the BJP framing them as an affront to both Modi’s leadership and India’s cultural ethos. Meanwhile, the Congress has yet to officially respond to the BJP’s accusations, leaving room for further escalation in this war of words.
As the 2025 festive season unfolds, the clash underscores the deepening divide between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with both sides leveraging sharp rhetoric to rally their bases. Political analysts suggest that such confrontations could set the tone for upcoming electoral battles, as parties vie for public support in an increasingly polarized landscape.
Also Read: Telangana Congress Icon Damodar Reddy Passes Away at 73