Opinion | When Politicians Lose Sense Of Propriety

Updated: Apr 26, 2026 18:01 pm IST Published On Apr 26, 2026 17:59 pm IST Last Updated On Apr 26, 2026 18:01 pm IST

Published On Apr 26, 2026 17:59 pm IST

Last Updated On Apr 26, 2026 18:01 pm IST

Indian politics has never been devoid of sharp rhetoric, but recent remarks by senior leaders indicate a worrying slide from criticism to outright denigration. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at a press conference in Chennai on April 21 initially referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist" while criticising the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP. Later, Kharge justified that he didn't call PM a terrorist in a literal sense but in a way that he is "trying to silence people".

Similarly, in another shocking video clip circulating on social media, Bihar MP Pappu Yadav (independent but supports Congress) is heard saying, "90% of women netas start their careers in men's bedrooms". The issue is no longer about political disagreement -it is about the erosion of basic democratic decorum.

These statements are not isolated gaffes. They are symptoms of a larger degradation in public discourse where outrage replaces argument, and insult substitutes ideology. In a democracy, disagreement is natural; dehumanisation is not.

Erosion of institutional dignity

First, consider the remark targeting the Prime Minister. While political leaders must be held accountable and criticised vigorously, equating an elected head of government with a 'terrorist' crosses a line. It undermines not just the individual but the institutional dignity of the office itself.........

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