Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has issued a formal apology following a major political controversy triggered by his remarks about the people of Gujarat, while on Wednesday, Kharge stated that he has always held the people of Gujarat in the highest regard and will continue to do so. He emphasized that his intention was never to hurt the sentiments of the citizens of the state. The controversy erupted after his speech in Kerala's Idukki district, where he made a comparative remark between the people of Kerala and Gujarat.
Background of the Controversy in Idukki
During an election rally in Idukki, Kerala, on Sunday, Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a gathering where he praised the literacy and awareness of the local population. He stated that the people of Kerala are well-educated and wise, making it difficult for anyone to mislead them. However, in the same context, he allegedly referred to the people of Gujarat as "uneducated" and suggested they could be easily misled. The video of the speech quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from various political quarters.
BJP Launches Sharp Attack on Congress
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted strongly to Kharge's comments, labeling them as an insult to the identity and pride of Gujarat, while senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad spearheaded the attack, calling the remarks shameful and highly condemnable. The BJP accused the Congress leadership of harboring a deep-seated bias against Gujarat and its people, while prasad questioned whether the Congress party considers the people of a particular state inferior based on their political choices.
Questions Over the Dignity of the Presidential Post
Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted the historical significance of the Congress President's post, noting that it was once held by stalwarts like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and Maulana Azad. He expressed disappointment that a person occupying such a prestigious position would use derogatory language against the citizens of a state. The BJP demanded that Rahul Gandhi clarify his stance on the issue and asked if he endorsed the views expressed by the party president.
Kharge Clarification and Expression of Regret
As the backlash intensified, Mallikarjun Kharge issued a clarification on Wednesday. He claimed that certain portions of his speech were being deliberately misinterpreted and taken out of context for political gains. Despite this, he took responsibility and expressed regret for any hurt caused by his words. He reiterated that his respect for the people of Gujarat remains unchanged and that his primary focus was on discussing the importance of education and awareness in a democracy.
Political Implications Amid Election Season
The timing of the remark and the subsequent apology is significant as political parties are in active campaign mode across several regions, while the Congress party's quick move to issue an apology is seen as an attempt to prevent the BJP from turning the remark into a major electoral issue, especially in Gujarat and among the Gujarati diaspora. The incident has once again brought the discourse around regional identity and political rhetoric to the forefront of the national narrative.