India news: Remark on Modi's father stirs political row

Here's a roundup of the biggest headlines from India on Monday, October 26:

At least two bodies were recovered in northeastern Delhi on Monday morning after rescue workers conducted an overnight operation at the site of a collapsed house.

Local media reported that a massive slab of an under-construction house fell on the contractors of the building on Sunday evening, prompting national and regional rescue teams to arrive at the scene.

Authorities identified the deceased as 60-year-old Chanderpal and his 36-year-old son Vijay Kumar.

India's capital has seen a number of building collapses off late, as illegal constructions, lack of maintenance and unimplemented safety standards threaten lives. In September, a five-storey building housing paying guest students collapsed killing at least seven.

Indian Home Minister, and Prime Minister Modi's right-hand man, Amit Shah on Monday slammed opposition president Mallikarjun Kharge for making an "indecent remark" about the premier's late father.

"This is not the first time that the Congress party has used abusive language against Modi ji or his family. At times, they have hurled insults at his revered mother, at times called him 'merchant of death,' and at times mocked his poverty by calling him 'chaiwala.' Under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, the Congress party keeps crossing the limits of indecency every day," Shah said on X.

He claimed that the INC had taken to personal remarks in "desperation and frustration" over losing their political base.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata party has called for a nationwide protest on Monday, over a prominent opposition leader's "indecent and offensive" remark about about Modi caused controversy.

BJP spokespersons and regional leaders said they were organizing protest rallies across the country, including some that plan to burn effigies.

The incident occurred at an Indian National Congress (INC) party event in the eastern state of Bihar, where party president Mallikarjun Kharge was speaking about the controversial national voter roll revision.

The party has recently intensified its year-long campaign against PM Modi over claims of using the revision process to "steal votes." A recent news report over mass deletions of voter names and irregularities by India's election body have also led to major protests led by opposition parties, political pressure groups and student organizations.

At the INC event, Kharge claimed that all officials responsible for the voter roll irregularities, including Modi, would be sent to jail.

In response, an audience member reportedly shouted out: “As long as there is no rebellion, Modi won’t go anywhere,” news agency Press Trust of India reported. Kharge responded, saying "Modi ka baap bhi jayega."

That translates to "even Modi's father will go (to jail)."

While the terminology is a commonly used phrase in India, BJP leaders argued that it was deeply offensive to invoke the prime minister's late father over politics.

"Mallikarjun Kharge appears to have lost all sense of decorum. “Modi ka baap bhi jayega” — is this the language expected from the national president of a party that claims to uphold democratic values?," a BJP spokesperson wrote on social media.

"Oppose politically, but don't turn the respect for late parents into a weapon of your cheap politics. The country is watching everything. 140 crore Indians will never forgive those who insult their elders!" BJP's social media handle said. Crore is equivalent to 10 million in the Indian numbering system.

Meanwhile, INC leaders defended Kharge, saying BJP too had often made personal remarks targeting their party members at rallies.

Good morning! and welcome to DW's India news blog.

This is Mahima Kapoor reporting from Studio Delhi, where the the weather may be getting cooler but political jabs and burning effigies will likely keep things heated.

The latest spark came from the president of India's largest opposition party. Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in response to an audience member at an event, made a personal remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his father. The remark has caused a political row with politicians from both ends clashing on social media and Modi's party now planning an effigy-burning protest on Monday.

Two people have reportedly died in a construction collapse in India's capital. The bodies were recovered on Monday morning after a night of search and rescue operations.

On a brighter note, Prince Alois of Liechtenstein is in India for a state visit with discussions of trade and investment, science, technology and innovation on the agenda.