NEW DELHI, Dec 15 — Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday demanded an apology from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Parliament over what he described as a threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by Congress workers at a rally in Delhi.
Rijiju alleged that slogans raised during a Congress gathering on Sunday included remarks about “digging the grave” of the prime minister, calling the language deeply disturbing and unacceptable in a democracy.
“Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should tender an apology for the Congress workers’ threat to the life of the prime minister,” Rijiju told reporters. “They should do so on the floor of both Houses of Parliament.”
Calling the incident “most unfortunate and tragic,” Rijiju said such remarks go beyond political disagreement.
“We are political rivals, not enemies,” he said. “We propagate different ideologies, but we work together for a developed India.”
Rijiju said political criticism and sharp debate were part of democracy, but threats of violence crossed a line.
“We oppose each other differently. We never think of killing each other, nor do we talk about that,” he said. “What kind of mentality is this, where people openly threaten political rivals?”
He said Modi, as the elected leader of the country, represents all citizens.
“The prime minister is the leader of 140 crore people and heads the world’s largest democracy,” Rijiju said. “This cannot be brushed aside with a simple condemnation.”
Rijiju said an apology in Parliament was necessary if the Congress respected democratic values and the people of the country.
