New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday strongly condemned slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Congress rally against alleged “vote chori”, calling them deeply disturbing and unacceptable in a democratic setup. Rijiju said the Congress leadership must apologise to the nation from the floor of Parliament for remarks that amounted to threats against the Prime Minister.

“BJP-NDA has never disrespected anyone’s parents or threatened anyone’s life. We oppose people in different ways and criticise them, as politics allows in a democracy, but to kill someone, there has never been such a thought,” Rijiju said. “What kind of mentality is this, that Congress leaders openly declared to kill someone? The world and the country acknowledge PM Modi, and if some opposition leaders speak of killing him, it’s deeply saddening.”

The minister said mere condemnation was not enough and demanded a formal apology from the Congress leadership. “The Congress chief and the LoP must apologise to the country from the floor of the House. If there is humanity left and the Congress still cares about the country and its people, they shouldn’t delay – only then will we consider it a mistake,” he said.

Rijiju also criticised the Opposition for disrupting parliamentary proceedings. “We are ready for every discussion in Parliament, but to walk out of the House and abuse the PM is unacceptable,” he added.

Who issued ‘death threat’? What is the controversy:

The controversy erupted after Congress leader Manju Lata Meena, Jaipur Women’s Congress district president, made controversial remarks against the Prime Minister during a rally organised by the party against alleged electoral malpractice.

At the rally, Meena said, “Modi teri kabar khudegi, aaj nahin toh kal khudegi” (Modi, your grave will be dug, if not today then tomorrow), triggering sharp reactions from the BJP.

Defending her remarks, Meena said she was merely reflecting public anger over alleged vote rigging. “There is so much anger among the public regarding vote rigging. They (BJP) have formed these governments by rigging votes, and the Election Commission is also acting according to their instructions,” she claimed.

She further accused the Prime Minister of avoiding key public issues. “He (PM Modi) doesn't talk about employment, youth, women, or farmers. He distracts from the issues,” Meena said, adding that she stood by her statement.

BJP hits back, calls it a threat to democracy

The BJP launched a strong counterattack, accusing the Congress of normalising threats and insults against the Prime Minister.

“This rally is not of vote chori, but more of theft and threats, this rally is not for SIR, but rather a war on Constitution,” BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said. He alleged that the remarks were made on the directions of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and reflected the party’s mindset.

“This is not an isolated incident; there are 150 such other incidents where the Congress has insulted or threatened PM Modi,” Poonawalla claimed.