Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge issued a strong response to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the latter raised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's family history during a campaign in Maharashtra. Adityanath recently claimed at a rally in Amravati that Kharge intentionally stays silent on his past, fearing it could affect Muslim support. Priyank Kharge fired back, condemning the remarks as insensitive and divisive.

In a detailed statement, Priyank clarified that it was the Razakars of the Hyderabad Nizam who, in 1948, burned down his father’s house, resulting in the tragic deaths of Mallikarjun Kharge’s mother and sister. Despite narrowly escaping the incident, Mallikarjun Kharge rose above this personal tragedy, becoming a nine-time MLA, twice an MP, and now Congress President.

Priyank emphasised that Kharge never used his past for political gain, nor did he harbor animosity towards any community. “It was the Razakars who committed this act—not the entire Muslim community,” he stated, urging Adityanath to avoid generalizing communities based on the actions of a few.

In his statement, Priyank questioned Adityanath's ideological bias, highlighting that his father’s commitment to equality is rooted in the teachings of Buddha, Basavanna, and Ambedkar. Priyank remarked, “Your ideology fails to see Kharge Ji as an equal,” accusing Adityanath of promoting divisive tactics for electoral gain rather than focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s achievements.

Priyanka asked: "So, tell me CM saab,  your ideology fails to see Kharge Ji as an equal, it discriminates between human beings, does that make all of you bad or those who are practicing it? Who labeled him as an “untouchable” or a Dalit? The existence of a discriminatory ideology does not make everyone within a community wrong. Does it?"

Yes, @myogiadityanath ji, in 1948, the Razakars burned down Sri @kharge ji’s house, taking the lives of his mother and sister. Though he narrowly escaped, he survived and rose to become a 9 time MLA, twice Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MP, central minister, the Leader of the Lok…

— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) November 13, 2024

Priyank concluded his statement by asserting that Mallikarjun Kharge’s dedication to constitutional values and social justice remains unshaken, urging Adityanath to “take your hate elsewhere” and resist sowing seeds of discord within society.