Madhya Pradesh: Congress Leader Raja Pateria Arrested For "Be Ready To Kill Modi To Save Constitution" Remark

Raja Pateria, a Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh minister, was arrested on Tuesday (13 December) morning for his controversial statement about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pateria was arrested from his home, in Hata town in Damoh district, by the police.

In a video that surfaced on social media, Pateria could be heard telling Congress workers at a meeting to be ready to "kill" Modi if the Indian Constitution is to be saved.

"Modi will end the elections. Modi will divide on the basis of religion, caste and language. The future of Dalits, tribals and minorities is in danger. If you want to save the Constitution, then be ready to kill Modi. Kill in the sense of defeating him", Pateria is heard telling the crowd.

Subsequently, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him.

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar condemned the Congress and sought its leadership's apology for the comments, asserting that it exposed the opposition party's mindset.

Another Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey said the Congress has a history of abusing Modi, noting that its former president Sonia Gandhi had called him 'maut ka saudagar' (merchant of death) while its incumbent head Mallikarjun Kharge likened him to 'Raavan' during the recent Gujarat assembly polls.

Congress leaders have often seen using abusive words, threats and belittling remarks against Prime Minister Modi. Recently, Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, came under fire for comparing the Prime Minister with "Raavan".

(with inputs from PTI)