Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday called on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to apologise for an alleged threat made by Congress workers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a hastily convened press conference, Rijiju claimed that during a Congress rally held in the national capital on Sunday, party workers made remarks about digging the Prime Minister’s grave. He described the incident as deeply unfortunate and damaging to India’s democratic values.

Rijiju said Kharge and Rahul Gandhi should publicly apologise for the remarks on the floor of both Houses of Parliament. He emphasised that political parties may be rivals but are not enemies, and that ideological differences should never lead to threats of violence. Stating that political leaders regularly criticise one another, Rijiju said such disagreements should never cross the line into talk of killing opponents. He questioned the mindset behind openly threatening a political rival.

The parliamentary affairs minister added that Prime Minister Modi represents 140 crore citizens and leads the world’s largest democracy, earning respect both nationally and internationally. He said the issue could not be resolved through condemnation alone and demanded a formal apology to the nation in Parliament.

Rijiju further said that if the Congress respected democratic values and the people of the country, its top leaders should immediately apologise in both Houses. He described threats to the Prime Minister’s life as unacceptable and among the most disturbing developments in India’s political history. The remarks came amid heightened political tension following a Congress rally titled “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod,” where senior party leaders accused the BJP and election officials of electoral malpractice and alleged attempts to undermine voters’ rights.