Heated Parliament Session: Nadda Apologises to Kharge for Controversial Comment

New Delhi | July 29, 2025

Tempers flared in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session after BJP leader J.P. Nadda made a controversial comment about Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s “mental balance” amid the high-stakes Operation Sindoor debate.

Nadda’s Comment Sparks Outrage

While Kharge delivered a fiery hour-long speech criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of national security post-Pahalgam attack, Nadda shot back with, “It seems Kharge ji has lost his mental balance.”Opposition MPs immediately rose from their seats, shouting protests and demanding that Nadda retract his words. Congress leaders called the remark “deeply insulting” and pressed for an unconditional apology.

Nadda Apologises, Withdraws Statement

Amid repeated interventions by the Chair and growing unrest in the House, Nadda stood again. “If my words hurt Kharge ji’s feelings, I withdraw them and apologise,” he said.Still, Nadda didn’t back down entirely. He criticised Kharge’s tone and suggested the Congress chief had crossed the line. “Even in the heat of emotion, a leader of his stature should choose his words carefully—especially when speaking about the Prime Minister,” he added.

Kharge Asks to Expunge His Own Remarks Too

In a rare move, Kharge also requested the Chair to strike certain parts of his own speech from the record. He admitted that emotion drove some of his comments.“I accept the apology,” Kharge said. “But this House should focus on national issues, not descend into personal jibes. We’re here to question policies, not attack individuals.”

Operation Sindoor Debate Grows Tense

The clash unfolded during a larger debate on Operation Sindoor, the military response to the Pahalgam terror strike. The opposition demanded answers on intelligence lapses, while ministers like Rajnath Singh and S. Jaishankar defended the operation.Kharge questioned the government’s preparedness and accountability. BJP leaders, in turn, accused the opposition of politicising national security.

A Brief Truce, But Tensions Linger

Nadda’s apology helped prevent the session from spiraling into another walkout or adjournment. With the Monsoon Session already marred by disruptions, this moment of restraint brought temporary calm.Still, the underlying political divide remains wide. The “mental balance” remark may have faded from the immediate agenda, but the battle over national security and political responsibility is only getting louder.