Guwahati, April 8: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has strongly criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for using what she described as “abusive and derogatory” language against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. She termed the remarks “utterly shameful” and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarify whether he endorses such an insult.

The controversy began on Tuesday when Sarma, responding to Kharge’s comments urging central agencies to investigate allegations against him, said the Congress president was “speaking like a mad man” due to old age.

In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi emphasized Kharge’s stature as one of the country’s most senior leaders and a representative of Dalits and marginalized communities. “By insulting him, the BJP chief minister has insulted crores of people across the country,” she wrote, urging the prime minister to state his position on the matter.

The Congress party has demanded an unconditional apology from Sarma, alleging that his remarks reflect an “anti-Dalit mindset.” Rahul Gandhi also weighed in, calling the language used against Kharge “vulgar and unacceptable.” He argued that the silence of the prime minister amounts to consent, adding that the attack was not just on Kharge but on the dignity of the SC/ST community.

Rahul Gandhi further linked the incident to what he described as a long-standing pattern within the BJP and RSS of undermining Dalit leaders. “Whenever a Dalit leader speaks the truth, they stoop to humiliate him,” he said, asserting that this reflects the ideology and character of the ruling party.

The remarks have sparked a political storm, with Congress leaders framing the issue as an attack on Dalit dignity and demanding accountability from the prime minister.