In this election season, we have seen so many ups and downs in the political battle being fought. There’s one battle taking place on the ground and another in the media. From slogans like Chowkidar Chor Hai to calling the PM ‘Duryodhan’, Maut Ka Saudagar we have seen a lot of mudslinging. Though, on the other hand, BJP leaders have kept themselves away from this exchange of potshots.
Criticism flowed in from the opposition after Narendra Modi’s remark on Rajiv Gandhi. Congress has blown it out of proportion and has continued to harshly criticize the comment. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the Prime Minister and said that the PM does not have ‘Sanskar’ (cultural grooming) because he left home at a young age.
Kharge said, “He did not get sanskar at home as he had fled home at a young age. Where will he get it? People should have control over their tongue when speaking,” He further added, “When Modi speaks so low about a person who gave his life for the nation, it means that he has no heart, no patriotism and his only objective is to win the election. It is unfortunate that the prime minister lacks the wisdom of what to talk and what not to talk. Except for talking, his contribution to the nation is nil.”
In PM Modi’s defence, Rajya Sabha member Narendra Jadhav wrote a letter to Kharge, condemning his comment on the Prime Minister. In the most respectful manner, Jadhav criticised the disrespectful Congress leader and asked him to write a formal apology to the Prime Minister. The letter by Narendra Jadhav expressed his discontentment on despicable comment given to the press by the Congress leader. Jadhav, in a polite gesture explained Kharge that it wasn’t ethical to make comments on the personal life of a national leader. He also said that it was a new low in making comments on a national leader. The apology, according to Jadhav, would help Kharge in standing as a person of integrity.
Explaining his concern over the indecency, Jadhav said that he expected a more mature behaviour from an experienced and senior leader like Kharge. He requested Kharge to set an example of decent behaviour not only for his party president (Rahul Gandhi) but others as well and restore sanity in the public discourse. He acknowledged the fact that respecting the democratically elected Prime Minister of our country upholds the constitutional values, instead of insulting him with filthy sloganeering.
Inspired by Ambedkar’s school of thought, Narendra Jadhav holds great academic and professional credentials. Holding a doctorate in Economics from Indiana University, USA, Dr. Jadhav has earlier served in several distinguished positions, including Member–Planning Commission, Member–National Advisory Council, Vice–Chancellor of the S.P. Pune University and Chief Economist, Reserve Bank of India. A celebrated public figure, Dr. Jadhav is recipient of as many as 67 National and International Awards for his contribution to the fields of economics, education, literature, culture and social work. These include four Honorary D Lit Degrees and the title of the Commander of the Order of Academic Palmes by the Government of France.
But it is important to stand against such vicious comments and answer them constitutionally. Like Rahul Gandhi had to apologize for his “Chowkidar Chor Hai” remark, it’s time we should stand against veteran Congress Leader Mallikarjun Kharge for the remark he made against the PM, and make him apologize for it.
I thank Narendra Jadhav for demanding an apology from Mallikarjun Kharge in this matter. If you read the letter from Jadhav you could easily see the difference between two leaders. With uttermost sincerity and respect, Narendra Jadhav has asked Mallikarjun Kharge to take back his words and apologize for his remarks. Jadhav even said that as a senior and experienced leader and well-cultured human being, Kharge should set good examples for others. He focused on the point that in whole political battle, it is very important to maintain healthy public discourse. One can have many differences in ideology and working but disrespecting someone with such filthy remarks does not a good example. Jadhav’s letter is a reminder to other politicians that ‘decorum of politics’ should be maintained and personal life of rivals is off limits.