“We will shoot Rahul Gandhi in the chest, beware!”
BJP spokesperson issues death threat to Rahul Gandhi on live TV
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly reacted to the alleged death threat issued against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a BJP spokesperson during a televised debate in Kerala, saying the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is not alone but backed by millions of supporters across India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Siddaramaiah said the statement — “We will shoot Rahul Gandhi in the chest, beware!” — made by BJP spokesperson Pintu Mahadev on News18 Kerala, reflects the dangerous culture of hate and intimidation promoted by the ruling party and its ideological parent, the Sangh Parivar. He questioned the silence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over such remarks, saying it raises suspicion whether they tacitly endorse the threat.
“Issuing threats to silence ideological opponents, and when that fails, eliminating them altogether, is nothing new for the BJP and Sangh Parivar,” Siddaramaiah said. He recalled that the chain of killings beginning with Gandhi continued through Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, M.M. Kalburgi, and journalist Gauri Lankesh.
He said threats against opposition voices, writers and activists are routine, but vowed that such tactics would not deter him or Rahul Gandhi from speaking against injustice. “Rahul has already lost his grandmother and father to assassins. Those with a murderous mindset must understand — Rahul Gandhi is no longer alone; millions of workers stand firmly behind him,” he added.
The Congress party has formally written to Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding immediate and strict action against the BJP spokesperson who issued the threat on live television.
