‘Modi teri kabra khudegi’ echoes at Congress ‘vote chori’ protest, BJP warns of public backlash
New Delhi: What began as a Congress-led protest accusing the Centre and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of alleged ‘vote chori’ quickly escalated into a full-blown political flashpoint, as objectionable slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi rang out at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.
Amid tight security, Congress workers and leaders gathered to protest what the party termed “collusion to manipulate elections.”
However, the rally drew sharp criticism after several participants were heard chanting slogans such as “Modi teri kabra khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi” and “Vote chor, gaddi chhord”, directly targeting the Prime Minister.
Speaking to IANS, Congress worker Manjulata Meena from Rajasthan openly defended the slogans, claiming the protest was in support of Rahul Gandhi’s fight against alleged electoral manipulation.
She went on to accuse the BJP-led government of authoritarianism and alleged EVM tampering, asserting that public anger would ultimately bring political change.
Another participant, Sonia Begum, justified the chants by saying they symbolised the “end of evil” and reflected the desire for change, while other workers echoed similar remarks throughout the rally.
The Congress leadership maintained that the protest was focused on safeguarding democracy. Senior leader KC Venugopal said the agitation was “not against the BJP but against vote theft,” claiming lakhs had gathered to protect democratic values.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also framed the mobilisation as a constitutional fight, invoking the party’s role in India’s freedom struggle.
However, the BJP responded with a fierce counterattack. Party national spokesperson Sambit Patra said such language against the Prime Minister would not be tolerated by the public. Addressing a press conference, Patra accused the Congress of repeatedly resorting to abusive politics and failing to read public sentiment.
Drawing parallels with past controversies, Patra alleged that mocking and defamatory attacks against PM Modi reflected a long-standing mindset within the Congress, warning that such tactics have historically backfired.
With top Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra scheduled to participate, and senior Karnataka leaders also present, the rally was meant to showcase opposition unity.
Instead, the slogan row has shifted the political narrative, sparking a fresh debate over protest politics, political decorum, and the limits of dissent.