Congress demanded a “categorical condemnation and public apology from BJP,” warning that inaction could be interpreted as complicity.
Published Sep 29, 2025 | 3:25 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 29, 2025 | 3:25 PM
Printu Mahadev (R) threatened LoP Rahul Gandhi in a live TV interview. Credit: x.com/INCIndia, https://www.facebook.com/printu.abvp
Synopsis: Congress has demanded urgent action from Union Home Minister Amit Shah against BJP spokesperson Printu Mahadev for issuing a “heinous” death threat against Rahul Gandhi during a TV debate. The party condemned the “chilling” remark, urging swift legal action and a BJP apology, warning that such threats endanger democracy and Rahul’s safety.
The Congress party has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging immediate action against BJP spokesperson Printu Mahadev for issuing a death threat to Rahul Gandhi during a live TV debate. Congress described the threat as “chilling” and demanded swift and stringent action.
Congress leader KC Venugopal, Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, sent a strongly worded letter to the Home Minister, calling for urgent action against Mahadev for his remarks on News18 Kerala.
In the letter, Venugopal stated: “I write to draw your immediate attention to a chilling and heinous death threat levelled against Shri Rahul Gandhi, the Hon’ble Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, by Mr Printu Mahadev—a spokesperson of the BJP—during a televised debate on News18 Kerala.”
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗝𝗣 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗦!
The Indian National Congress strongly condemns the heinous DEATH THREAT issued to LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi on live television by BJP spokesperson Pintu Mahadev.
This is no off-the-cuff remark or hyperbole. This is a cold and… pic.twitter.com/v9eEsozakK
— Congress (@INCIndia) September 29, 2025
He added, “In a brazen act of incitement of violence, Mahadev openly declared that ‘Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest.’ This is neither a slip of the tongue, nor careless hyperbole. It is a cold, calculated and chilling death threat against the Leader of Opposition and one of India’s foremost political leaders.”
The controversy arose from Mahadev’s comments during the debate, where he said, “Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest,” alluding to the assassinations of Rahul’s grandmother, Indira Gandhi, in 1984, and his father, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1991.
Venugopal cautioned that such statements from a ruling party spokesperson jeopardise Rahul’s safety and undermine constitutional protections. He highlighted prior CRPF security warnings about threats to Rahul and a leaked security letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
“A death threat against Shri Rahul Gandhi is not merely an attack on an individual; it is an assault on the democratic spirit he represents,” Venugopal wrote, pressing for “immediate, exemplary legal action through the state police so that justice is swift, visible and severe.”
In the debate, Mahadev also stated, “People are with Modi,” and warned that if Rahul Gandhi holds certain ambitions, “he will be shot in the chest,” adding that Gen Z protests “cannot do anything” in India.
On its official X account, Congress condemned the threat, stating: “The BJP has crossed all limits! The Indian National Congress strongly condemns the heinous DEATH THREAT issued to LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi on live television by BJP spokesperson Pintu Mahadev (sic).”
The post questioned the BJP’s motives, asking: “Is this a larger, sinister conspiracy being hatched against the people’s leader, Rahul Gandhi ji? Does the BJP endorse the politics of criminal intimidation, violence and even death threats? Is the BJP trying to normalise violence against the LoP, a constitutional position, and other Opposition leaders who raise their voice against its misgovernance?”
Congress demanded a “categorical condemnation and public apology from the BJP leadership,” warning that inaction could be interpreted as complicity.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
