Why Did BJP Condemn Kharge Over Comments on President Murmu?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP condemns Kharge for alleged disrespect.
- Comments seen as an affront to Dalit and tribal communities.
- Political leaders emphasize the dignity of constitutional roles.
- Discourse around marginalized communities gains traction.
- Calls for respectful political dialogue emerge.
New Delhi, July 8 (NationPress) The BJP has strongly criticized Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his purported mispronunciations and contentious statements concerning President Droupadi Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind.
The BJP claims that Kharge incorrectly addressed President Murmu as "Murma ji" and former President Kovind as "Covid ji", further accusing them of being land grabbers.
These comments have been characterized by BJP leaders as an affront not only to individuals in high constitutional offices but also to the entire Dalit and tribal communities.
In response to the uproar, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma stated, “I have not heard this. If someone has said that, then what does it mean? She is a woman from the tribal community, whose lifelong courage and struggles we all know, read about, and witness. To say something like that about her, what does it imply? It seems like a wrong accusation against the tribal community.”
Minister Vishvas Sarang remarked, “The Congress party has always insulted the tribal community, but this time it has crossed all limits,” in a sharp rebuttal to Kharge’s alleged comments regarding the President.
He added, “To speak in such a manner about our respected President, who holds the highest constitutional position in the country, is the most unconstitutional act possible. I believe the Congress is breaking all boundaries of decency. Mocking a person holding a constitutional post is not just an insult to that individual, it is an insult to the entire nation,” he added.
BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia was particularly critical, saying, “The Opposition mindset, the Congress Party, where their leader Rahul Gandhi walks around holding the Constitution in his hands, it is under their influence that the remote-controlled President, Mallikarjun Kharge, makes such objectionable remarks. Today, the entire country, every citizen, the tribal community, Dalits, and women are condemning him,” he stated.
Senior BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra labeled the remarks as “extremely painful, deeply unfortunate” and added that “nothing could be more regrettable.”
He emphasized, “Mallikarjun Kharge is the President of a national party and an elderly man; such words do not befit him. A dignified woman from a Scheduled Tribe background is today the President of the country. A scholar like Ram Nath Kovind has also served as our President. Mocking such individuals in this manner is deeply shameful.”
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla termed it a manifestation of “deep hatred against SC and ST communities.”
He stated, “Calling Droupadi Murmu ‘Murma ji’ and Kovind ji ‘Covid ji’, and further labeling them as land grabbers, this is not a slip of the tongue, it’s an expression of ingrained prejudice,” Poonawalla said.
He further asserted, “The Congress has a history of mocking constitutional authorities, be it the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister, or the President,” he professed.