New Delhi: BJP leaders on Saturday criticized Congress and its chief Mallikarjun Kharge after he called the BJP a “party of terrorists.”

The BJP responded, saying Kharge’s remark reflected the "character and DNA" of the Congress.

Kharge’s comment came in response to statements from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who referred to Congress leaders as “urban Naxals,” a term the BJP often uses to describe those they consider threats to national integrity.

According to media reports, Kharge accused the BJP of committing violence against minorities, stating, “They lynch and assault people, urinate in the mouths of members of the Scheduled Castes, and rape tribals.”

He went on to say, “The BJP is a party of terrorists,” alleging that their silence was broken only after their electoral victory in Haryana.

BJP leaders reacted sharply to Kharge's statement. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla remarked that Congress had made it a habit of insulting both the public and the Prime Minister.

He stated, “Congress ki pehchaan, janta ka apmaan” (insulting the people is Congress’s identity). Poonawalla also accused Congress of blaming external factors for their electoral losses, referencing a statement by senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, who had called voters “rakshasi” (demonic). “This shows the character and DNA of Congress,” he said.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi also criticized Congress, claiming the party had a "maligned" mindset.

He questioned Kharge’s progressive stance, saying, “If four wives, triple talaq, Mehram, Halala, and Hijab are progressive, then supporting all of this while making inappropriate statements against Hinduism shows the urban Naxal mentality of your party.”

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi took aim at Sonia Gandhi, recalling that she had "shed tears" for terrorists killed in the Batla House encounter, and accused Congress of being soft on figures like Afzal Guru.

Joshi added, "It was Congress that repealed POTA in 2004. Under PM Modi, we’ve seen a significant decline in terrorist activities. Today, Kashmiri youth have jobs instead of stones, unlike during Congress rule. As a senior leader, Mr. Kharge should double-check what he says," Joshi wrote in a post on X, tagging PM Modi.

BJP leader Gourav Vallabh also criticized Kharge, alleging that his remarks mirrored those of Pakistan and extremist groups.

“Extremists use the same words for India’s nationalist political parties. Today, the language of Mallikarjun Kharge and that of Pakistan are the same. The country is watching," he said.