Comments erupt clashes

Whoever used abusive language deserves condemnation. But linking Congress and the INDIA bloc to this is wrong. The attack on our state headquarters was abominable. We hope the Bihar government acts against the attackers. Clearly, the BJP is rattled by the Yatra’s success Sachin Pilot Congress general secretary

metro india news  I patna

The political temperature in Bihar surged on Friday after abusive remarks allegedly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Rahul Gandhi’s “Voter Adhikar Yatra” led to clashes between BJP and Congress workers in Patna. The altercation erupted outside the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) headquarters, Sadaqat Ashram, after BJP supporters marched from their party office, condemning the expletives shouted at a rally in Darbhanga earlier in the week.

The individual who allegedly made the abusive comments was arrested on Friday. Identified as 20-year-old Mohammad Rizvi alias Raja, a Congress worker from Singhwara, he reportedly hurled the offensive language during a public meeting while Rahul Gandhi was offering prayers at the Sita Mata Temple nearby.

The BJP, enraged by the incident, demanded a public apology from Congress and its allies. State minister Nitin Nabin, who led the BJP march, declared, “We will not tolerate insults to Prime Minister Modi. Rahul Gandhi, his party, and alliance partners must apologise.”

Rahul Gandhi, responding via a post on X (formerly Twitter), did not directly mention the controversy but wrote in Hindi: “Violence and falsehood stand no chance before truth and non-violence… We will continue our fight to protect truth and the Constitution. Truth always triumphs! (Satyamev Jayate).”

Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot, accompanying Gandhi on the Yatra, condemned the offensive language but criticized the BJP’s reaction. “Whoever used abusive language deserves condemnation. But linking Congress and the INDIA bloc to this is wrong. The attack on our state headquarters was abominable. We hope the Bihar government acts against the attackers. Clearly, the BJP is rattled by the Yatra’s success,” he said.

RJD national spokesperson Manoj Jha, speaking at the same press conference, said the INDIA bloc had immediately condemned the offensive remarks. “But has the BJP ever apologised for derogatory comments made by its top leaders, including the Prime Minister? They are followers of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi,” he added. Jha accused the BJP of trying to divert attention through violence. “They couldn’t fire bullets today, so they wielded sticks,” he said.

The violent clash at Sadaqat Ashram, which led to injuries on both sides, has raised concerns over political civility and election-year tensions. Patna Central SP Diksha confirmed injuries were reported and said, The situation has been brought under control. Further action may be taken after investigation.”

Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal also lashed out at the BJP. “Baffled by the popularity of the Voter Adhikar Yatra, the BJP has unleashed its hooligans to intimidate us. The attack on our office, led by a cabinet minister and BJP leaders, is an act of cowardice. Strict action must be taken,” he wrote on X.

The controversy began on Wednesday in the Jale assembly segment of Darbhanga, where Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav passed through on motorcycles. A video emerged showing profane language directed at PM Modi and his mother. On Thursday, local Congress leader Mohammad Naushad admitted that the video was from a podium he had erected, but claimed the offensive remarks were made by unknown individuals in his absence.

While Congress leaders have strongly condemned the language, they also dismissed the BJP’s reaction as disproportionate and politically motivated. Pawan Khera, head of Congress’s media department, alleged a possible BJP ploy: “We suspect the BJP’s toolkit is at work. Why would we do anything to derail the focus of our successful Yatra? Planting disruptive elements is a known BJP tactic.”

The BJP, however, sees it differently. Party leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have demanded an apology, calling the incident a “stain on political discourse.” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala accused the Congress of promoting a “culture of abuse,” citing Rahul Gandhi’s frequent use of the term “vote chor” (vote thief) to describe the Prime Minister, without evidence.

Poonawala said that such language reflects a pattern of disrespect and warned that Bihar’s voters would “punish” Congress for it. He also pointed to past instances of provocative language by Congress leaders, suggesting this was not an isolated case.

Congress leaders, in turn, questioned BJP’s moral high ground. They referenced inflammatory comments made by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri against BSP MP Danish Ali in Parliament, accusing the ruling party of hypocrisy. “BJP should not preach morality when their own leaders have crossed lines,” they argued, while reiterating that the Darbhanga incident does not reflect the Congress’s views. They promised action against those responsible, while labeling the controversy a “diversionary tactic” to shift focus from the Yatra’s growing traction.

The “Voter Adhikar Yatra,” which concludes on Monday in Patna, has drawn large crowds, including women and children, across Bihar. Congress leaders claim it is striking a chord with voters, which is why the BJP is “rattled.”

The viral video, however, has overshadowed the rally’s original messaging about voter rights and alleged electoral manipulation. Political analysts warn that such controversies could undermine the opposition’s momentum, especially in a state as politically volatile as Bihar.

The BJP maintains that their protest was peaceful and claims that Congress workers initiated the violence. Both sides have accused each other of stone-pelting and property damage.

Historically, personal attacks on the Prime Minister have backfired on opposition parties, with the BJP often benefiting from public sympathy. As Bihar heads into elections, this incident has reignited debate over civility in political discourse. Whether the controversy will have lasting electoral consequences or fade from public memory remains uncertain.

For now, the India Bloc's campaign, intended to unify and energize the opposition, finds itself mired in a heated war of words — a distraction that could have far-reaching implications.