New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of using “uncultured and indecent” language and lowering the dignity of the Leader of Opposition’s office.

The BJP's reaction came after Gandhi, addressing the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi, described the BJP-RSS as a “bunch of jokers” who have no understanding of India and criticised Modi’s foreign policy, saying it largely revolves around hugging world leaders.

Gandhi also claimed that the RSS, as an original force, is dead and has become an “instrument of large capital -- Mr Adani and Mr Ambani”.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi hit back at Gandhi, asking him to grow up and accusing him of insulting the people of India by attacking the prime minister.

“Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up? Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics. Calling a democratically elected government 'jokers and clowns' proves you are out of your depth,” Joshi said in a post on X.

He said Gandhi had insulted the people of India by targeting the prime minister.

“By insulting the Prime Minister, you mock millions of voters who chose Modi ji for three historic terms. You are attacking the electorate's intelligence simply because they rejected your dynastic politics,” Joshi said.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also criticised Gandhi’s remarks, saying the use of “objectionable and undignified language” against constitutional figures, including the prime minister and Italy’s prime minister, was shameful.

“The standard of the Congress leader's language and political conduct is deteriorating day by day,” Patra said in a post on X in Hindi.

“This is not the language of India's great democratic tradition. It is a direct assault on a political culture that has always prioritized decorum and respect, even amidst disagreement,” the BJP MP said.

Patra said political differences were an integral part of democracy, but personal remarks and disrespect towards constitutional offices could not be considered political debate.

“This is not the language of India's great democratic tradition. It is a direct assault on a political culture that has always prioritized decorum and respect, even amidst disagreement,” he said.

He further said that while political differences are a part of democracy, the use of unseemly language, personal remarks, and the disrespecting of constitutional offices is not politics. “Rather, it is evidence of a decline in political values.”

Patra said the people of the country were watching the political discourse closely.

“The people of the country are observing everything: the words, the conduct, and the mindset". "That is precisely why the public has repeatedly rejected Rahul Gandhi's brand of politics and will continue to deliver a fitting response to his arrogance, undignified language, and negative politics," he added.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said Gandhi’s language was inconsistent with the dignity expected from the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

“The kind of uncultured, obscene, and indecent language used today by Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is completely contrary to the dignity of a constitutional position like that of the Leader of the Opposition,” she said in a post on X.

Swaraj said the country needed a Leader of Opposition who acted as a “constructive opposition” instead of engaging in rhetoric aimed at generating social media memes and reels.

“The kind of uncultured, obscene, and indecent language used today by Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is completely contrary to the dignity of a constitutional position like that of the Leader of the Opposition,” she said.

“Even at the age of 56, Rahul Gandhi's childish and low-level conduct is regrettable,” she said, adding that Modi’s diplomacy and economic leadership had strengthened India’s economic ties with 38 countries through nine free trade agreements.

“On one side is Modiji's global leadership, economic acumen, and vision for a developed India; on the other side is Rahul Gandhi's memes, mimicry, and indecent rhetoric,” she said.

Union minister Sukanta Majumdar described Gandhi’s remarks as a new low in public discourse.

“Vulgar jokes targeting PM Narendra Modi ji and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, with Congress leaders laughing along, are deeply disgraceful. This is a new low in public discourse. Strongly condemn it,” he said in a post on X.

BJP Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan said political parties had the right to criticise one another, but objectifying women and turning public discourse into vulgar jokes was unacceptable.

“Mocking PM Narendra Modi ji and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, while Congress leaders laugh along, reflects a serious lack of political maturity. Debate policies. Challenge decisions. But respect people. This is a new low for public discourse and deserves strong condemnation,” she said.

Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar alleged that a “filthy, vulgar and disgusting remark” was made against Meloni and Modi at an event attended by Gandhi.

“Targeting Prime Ministers with such cheap language isn't politics. It is gutter-level behaviour that brings shame to Indian political discourse. Strongly condemn this disgraceful act,” he said.

BJP leader Radha Mohan Singh said political differences were legitimate, but objectifying Modi and Meloni through vulgar jokes was not.

“Congress leaders laughing along only makes it worse. Women deserve respect, not objectification disguised as humour. This is a shameful low in public discourse,” he said.

Gandhi, meanwhile, also criticised the media, alleging that sections of it were following the government’s line. He said he understood the media’s limitations but asserted that national spirit meant not allowing a “bunch of clowns to create an order over us”.