NEW DELHI: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders, accusing them of using divisive rhetoric such as “katenge,” “batenge,” and “chhatenge.” Kharge alleged that it is the BJP, not the Congress, that is dividing the country along lines of caste and religion.
In what appeared to be a reference to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Kharge remarked, “On one hand, you wear ‘gerua’ (saffron) robes, and on the other, you use language like ‘batoge toh katogey.'”
The remarks followed PM Modi’s recent critique of Congress, where he accused the party of trying to drive wedges among marginalized castes. Kharge countered by emphasizing Congress’s history of striving for unity. “You divide the country in the name of caste and religion,” Kharge stated. “We don’t. We are working to unite people—Indira Gandhi even sacrificed her life for this purpose.”
Kharge further claimed that the “real threat” to India’s unity and security comes from the BJP and RSS. “From morning onward, they talk about ‘katenge,’ ‘batenge,’ and ‘chhatenge,'” Kharge said, adding, “Many leaders wear the garb of sadhus but are now politicians—some even serving as chief ministers. They wear saffron robes, but they spread hatred and division. If you are truly a ‘sanyasi,’ then stay out of politics.”
Earlier, PM Modi had argued that Congress has historically opposed the unity of SC, ST, and OBC communities, saying, “As long as the SC, ST, and OBC communities remained divided, Congress comfortably formed governments. But once these communities united, Congress could no longer secure an absolute majority at the Centre.”
