Youth Congress Protests in Pune against Assam CM’s Remarks on Mallikarjun Kharge

Pune, 8th April 2026: Members of the Youth Congress on Wednesday held a protest at Swargate Chowk against alleged “derogatory and insensitive” remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

A large number of party workers gathered at the protest site, raising slogans such as “Save the Constitution” and “We will not tolerate the insult of Dalits”. During the protest, activists staged a symbolic “jode maro” agitation and also attempted to burn an effigy of Assam CM.

The protest briefly turned tense, prompting police to step in. Several Youth Congress office-bearers and workers were briefly detained by police as a preventive measure.

In a statement, Youth Congress leaders said the remarks went beyond a personal attack and amounted to an insult to the Dalit community as Kharge represents the community. They alleged that such statements reflected a regressive mindset and risked deepening social divisions.

“This is a clear example of the regressive and “Manuvadi” ideology of the BJP and RSS, and such statements are an attempt to spread hatred and inequality in society” the party stated in a statement.

Youth Congress leaders warned that they would intensify their agitation if such incidents were repeated. Pune City Youth Congress president Saurabh Amarale said the Assam Chief Minister’s remarks reflected the BJP’s political culture and alleged that such comments were being used to divert attention from key issues such as corruption.