The political temperature in New Delhi escalated on Wednesday as Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi over controversial remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The row was triggered on Tuesday when Sarma described Kharge as “speaking like a mad man” due to his age.

The remarks followed Kharge’s calls for central agencies to investigate allegations against the Assam Chief Minister. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the party’s response, calling Sarma’s language “utterly shameful” and demanding that Prime Minister Modi clarify whether he condones such personal insults. In a strongly worded post on X, she emphasised that Kharge represents the Dalit community and other marginalised sections of society, asserting that insulting him is tantamount to insulting millions of citizens across India.

Rahul Gandhi also weighed in, terming the attack on Kharge an affront to the entire Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) community. He criticised the Prime Minister’s silence on the matter, suggesting that it signals “tacit consent” rather than a lack of awareness. Gandhi argued that the government has a responsibility to defend the dignity of Dalit leaders and that its failure to act undermines this principle.

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The Congress party accused Sarma’s comments of reflecting a broader “anti-Dalit mindset” within both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Party leaders cited historical instances of the ruling party allegedly belittling Dalit figures, including B. R. Ambedkar, when they have spoken out on issues of social justice and governance.

Emphasising the severity of the incident, Priyanka Gandhi highlighted that such rhetoric from a senior BJP leader sets a troubling precedent, especially for a political culture that should uphold respect for constitutional processes and parliamentary decorum. She urged the Prime Minister to explicitly distance himself from such personal attacks.

The Congress has made it clear that it will continue to hold the BJP accountable, framing the controversy as part of a larger debate over the treatment of Dalit leaders in Indian politics. The party’s demand for Prime Minister Modi’s response places the onus on the central leadership to address concerns over the dignity and representation of marginalised communities in public discourse.

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