Amit Shah’s “revenge” remark in 2014 drew EC action; Kharge’s “poisonous snake” remark in 2026 is fine for Congress

The Congress party and its ecosystem seem to be comfortable when its President Mallikarjun Kharge makes a hate speech against the BJP and RSS, calling them “poisonous snakes” and inciting Muslims to attack them.

Speaking at a rally in Nilambazar, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge reportedly cited a Quranic reference to argue that even during Namaz, a poisonous snake must be killed if encountered. He then extended this analogy to political opponents, stating that the RSS and BJP are similar threats.

The double standards of the Congress party when in opposition and while in political power are well known.

In April 2014, during the Uttar Pradesh campaigning in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli—areas that had recently experienced communal riots—Shah described the election as one for “honour” and to “take revenge for the insult” against the community. He reportedly stated, “This election is for honour. It is an election to take revenge for the insult. It is an election to teach a lesson to those who have committed injustice,” referring to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

The Election Commission ruled that the speeches violated the Model Code of Conduct, particularly regarding appealing to caste or communal feelings for votes. Amit Shah was penalised by the Election Commission (EC) of India in April 2014 for using the word “revenge” (badla) in his speeches during the Lok Sabha election campaign in Uttar Pradesh. The EC imposed a temporary ban on him from holding public meetings, processions, or roadshows in Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP defended the remarks, claiming they were taken out of context and meant “revenge through the ballot box”. The ban was later lifted after Shah gave an undertaking to the EC that he would not use abusive or derogatory language.

Most of the members of the Khan Market Gang strongly supported the interpretation of the Election Commission.

Now, in April 2026, Malikarajun Kharge (President of the Nehru-Gandhi’s Congress Party) said that the RSS and the BJP are poisonous snakes, and that it is incumbent on the Muslims to kill them even if it means stopping the namaz. I think the Khan Market Gang will not have any problem with this language today.

Reacting strongly, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress leadership of stooping to a new low. He alleged that the remarks were an attempt to provoke and polarise communities for electoral gains.

According to him, such rhetoric reflects a pattern where Congress leaders resort to divisive language when faced with declining public support.