Munish Sood
Shimla: Rajeev Shukla’s recent remarks comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule to “Ravana” have ignited a political storm, particularly as they were made in BJP strongholds like Bilaspur, home turf of Union Minister J.P. Nadda and MP Anurag Thakur. The BJP, outraged by this comment during the two-year celebration of Congress rule in Himachal Pradesh, has demanded an unconditional apology from Congress.
Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur led the charge, calling the remarks “deeply disrespectful.” Addressing the media in Shimla, he stated, “It is unacceptable to compare the Prime Minister, the leader of our nation, to Ravana. Such remarks show Congress’s inability to maintain political decency.”
Congress’s History with ‘Ravana’ Jibes
The BJP pointed to a pattern of such comments from Congress. During the Gujarat Assembly elections in 2022, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge likened PM Modi to a “100-headed Ravana.” The statement had drawn sharp criticism, with Modi himself countering, “This reflects Congress’s disdain for Lord Rama and the values he represents.”
In August 2023, Rahul Gandhi compared Modi to Ravana during a Lok Sabha debate, alleging he listens only to a select few, akin to Ravana relying on Meghanad and Kumbhakarna. BJP leaders labeled these remarks as divisive and an attempt to mislead the public.
Escalating Political Tensions
The controversy escalated further in October 2023 when the BJP released a poster depicting Rahul Gandhi as a “new-age Ravana,” prompting Congress to retaliate with a similar depiction of Modi. This exchange revived a series of past insults, with BJP recalling terms like “merchant of death” and “Hindu Jinnah” used by Congress leaders against Modi.
BJP National President J.P. Nadda condemned the repeated personal attacks, writing to Kharge: “No Prime Minister in India’s history has faced such consistent abuse. Is this the Congress’s idea of political discourse?”
Shukla Under Scrutiny
Rajeev Shukla has now become the focal point of BJP’s criticism. Jai Ram Thakur warned that BJP would leverage this incident in its campaigns, emphasizing Congress’s reliance on personal attacks rather than addressing governance.
The Bigger Picture
This controversy adds to the growing tension between the two major political parties, raising concerns about the erosion of decorum in political discourse. While the BJP demands accountability, the Congress accuses the ruling party of diverting attention from real issues.
The “Ravana” remark has undeniably reignited political hostilities, ensuring a contentious lead-up to upcoming elections.
