BJP Hits Out at Kharge Over Remarks on President Murmu and Kovind, Demands Apology
(File Photo | EPS)
Raipur | July 9, 2025 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing him of making “distasteful and derogatory” remarks against President Droupadi Murmu and her predecessor Ram Nath Kovind. The BJP alleged that Kharge’s statements reflect the Congress party’s “anti-Dalit, anti-Adivasi, and anti-Constitution” mindset and demanded a public apology.
Kharge, while addressing a public rally in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, had inadvertently mispronounced the names of President Murmu and former President Kovind during his speech. Although he immediately corrected himself, the BJP seized on the comments as evidence of disrespect and demanded that he step down as party president.
What Did Kharge Say?
Speaking at the rally, Kharge said:
“The BJP always speaks about making (Droupadi) Murmu ji and (Ram Nath) Kovind ji presidents of the country, but did the party do all this to snatch our assets, forests, water and land?”
Though the remark was framed as a critique of the BJP’s governance, especially concerning land rights and tribal welfare, it was Kharge’s initial mispronunciation — reportedly referring to Kovind as “Covid” and Murmu as “Murma” — that triggered political backlash.
BJP’s Reaction: “Objectionable, Insulting, and Hypocritical”
Reacting strongly to the comments, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia labeled Kharge’s statements as “deeply objectionable” and “disrespectful” to India’s highest constitutional office bearers.
“You (Kharge) called Ram Nath Kovind ji ‘Covid’. You mispronounced President Murmu’s name and then alleged that she is part of a conspiracy to snatch the lands and resources of tribals,” Bhatia said at a press conference in New Delhi.
He further claimed that Kharge’s remarks had “insulted not just the two Presidents but the entire Dalit and Adivasi communities.”
Calling Kharge a “remote-controlled leader,” Bhatia accused Rahul Gandhi of being the mastermind behind Kharge’s statements.
“If the Congress and Mallikarjun Kharge do not apologise, every citizen of the country will express their anger. This mistake will cost the Congress dearly,” he warned.
Bhatia also appealed to Congress workers to demand Kharge’s resignation from the post of party president for what the BJP called a “grave insult to constitutional values.”
Congress Hits Back: “BJP Practises Tokenism, Exploits Tribals”
In response, Congress leader Pawan Khera dismissed the BJP’s outrage as “hypocrisy” and claimed the ruling party’s ideology is “regressive” and “exploitative.”
“This reflects BJP's deeply regressive mindset. They present the President as a symbol while continuing to rob tribal communities of their rights, resources, and land,” Khera told IANS.
Khera went on to allege that the BJP was “exploiting jal, jungle, and zameen” (water, forest, and land) in tribal-dominated states like Chhattisgarh while pretending to care about tribal empowerment through token representation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khera elaborated:
“BJP’s ideology is riddled with hypocrisy. On one hand, they claim to champion the rights of tribal communities, but on the other, they cut down forests, displace indigenous people, and loot their resources. When questioned, they deflect by pointing to symbolic posts like the President.”
Context: BJP’s Focus on Tribal Representation
The BJP has made concerted efforts to highlight its representation of marginalized communities in recent years. The appointment of Droupadi Murmu, India’s first tribal woman President, and Ram Nath Kovind, India’s second Dalit President, were projected as major achievements by the party.
Murmu, who hails from Odisha’s Santhal tribal community, was elected in 2022 with BJP support, while Kovind served as President from 2017 to 2022.
However, critics argue that such symbolic gestures often mask deeper systemic issues. Tribal activists and opposition leaders have long alleged that the BJP has facilitated land acquisition for corporations, often at the expense of forest-dwelling and indigenous populations.
Chhattisgarh: The Battle for Jal, Jungle, Zameen
The latest controversy gains sharper political undertones due to its location — Chhattisgarh, a mineral-rich, tribal-majority state where both Congress and BJP are locked in a fierce electoral battle.
The state has been a focal point for tribal rights movements, especially concerning land acquisition, displacement, and deforestation due to mining and industrial projects.
Congress leaders have accused the BJP-led central government of greenlighting projects that displace local communities while showing symbolic support for them at the national level.
Expert Take: Political Weaponization of Language
Political analysts believe this episode is another example of election-year rhetoric being weaponized.
“Kharge’s gaffe was unfortunate, but BJP is framing it as intentional to shore up its support base among Dalit and Adivasi voters,” said political commentator Neelanjan Mukhopadhyay.
“In reality, both parties are competing hard to show that they are more pro-tribal, especially in key states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha,” he added.
Reader Takeaway
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is under fire for comments made at a Chhattisgarh rally, which the BJP has labeled as anti-Dalit and anti-Adivasi.
- BJP has demanded an apology, alleging Kharge insulted President Murmu and former President Kovind.
- Congress has denied the allegations, accusing BJP of tokenism and real-world exploitation of tribal lands.
- The controversy highlights the political importance of tribal voters, especially ahead of state and national elections.
Final Word
As political temperatures rise across India ahead of crucial elections, even a verbal slip can become a national controversy. While BJP’s demand for an apology may play well with its core base, the Congress is betting that its narrative of “systemic exploitation vs symbolic elevation” will resonate in tribal regions.
In a country where identity politics and symbolic gestures are deeply intertwined with policy and perception, this war of words may be far from over.
(With inputs from PTI, IANS)