In a sharp escalation of political rhetoric ahead of the ongoing general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Congress party of concealing hatred under the guise of its campaign for love, renewing his criticism of the opposition’s stance and strategies. Speaking at a rally, Modi alleged that the party, while portraying itself as a promoter of unity through its “Mohabbat Ki Dukaan” (shop of love) campaign, is in fact fostering animosity.
Modi’s remarks came in response to a controversial slogan reportedly raised at a Congress rally—“Modi teri kabar khudegi” (Modi, your grave will be dug)—which has drawn widespread attention and condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Citing the incident, Modi questioned the sincerity of the Congress’s professed commitment to non-violence and inclusion, portraying the slogan as emblematic of deeper hostility beneath the party’s messaging. The video clip in question has since gone viral on social media, and BJP leaders have seized the moment to frame it as a threat to democratic norms.
According to an article published by The Economic Times titled “Modi teri kabar khudegi: PM Modi accuses Cong of masking hate behind ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’,” Modi contended that such rhetoric is incompatible with the principles of democratic discourse. “This is not a slip of the tongue,” he is quoted as saying, “This is the real face of Congress.”
The Congress party, for its part, has dismissed the Prime Minister’s remarks as misrepresentation. Party leaders have emphasized that the “Mohabbat Ki Dukaan” campaign is a call for harmony and unity in a politically polarized environment. They argued that the controversial slogan was raised by unidentified individuals and not officially sanctioned by the party leadership. Senior Congress figures have also accused the BJP of diverting attention from pressing issues such as inflation and unemployment by focusing on incendiary language.
The latest exchange underscores the intense polarization marking the current election cycle, with both camps engaging in aggressive messaging to consolidate their voter bases. Analysts suggest the BJP’s emphasis on nationalism and internal security contrasts with the Congress’s messaging around inclusion and economic justice, but incidents like these continue to cloud the policy debate with emotionally charged narratives.
With India’s multi-phase elections underway, the sharp words from top political figures reflect the high stakes involved. As both sides vie for control of the national narrative, observers warn that incendiary slogans and personal attacks risk overshadowing substantive discussion of governance and policy—a development that could further deepen divisions in the electorate.
