Controversy Erupts Over Congress Leader Ashok Gehlot’s ‘Indira Gandhi Would Have Banned BJP’ Comment

Last Updated:June 15, 2026, 12:52 IST

Ashok Gehlot says Indira Gandhi would have banned BJP, accuses it of religious polarisation, BJP hits back, calling Congress anti Hindu and accusing it of an Emergency mindset

A fresh political row has erupted after senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would have banned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if she were alive today, accusing the ruling party of pursuing politics based on religious polarisation.

Speaking at an event in Jaipur, Gehlot alleged that the current political atmosphere in the country was among the most dangerous he had witnessed during his five decades in public life.

“If a leader like Indira Gandhi were alive today, she would have banned a party like the BJP. I am saying with full responsibility that the atmosphere today is extremely dangerous," Gehlot said.

He further claimed that those in power were deliberately encouraging religious divisions and questioned the BJP’s approach towards Muslim representation in elections.

Gehlot Questions BJP’s Electoral Strategy

Referring to elections in Uttar Pradesh, Gehlot questioned why the BJP did not field Muslim candidates.

“You could have given five seats just to show it to the people of the country. But you want to project that ‘we are a purely Hindutva party’," he said.

The Congress veteran accused the BJP of relying on religious identity politics and asked whether governance could be based solely on a Hindutva agenda.

BJP Accuses Congress of Anti-Hindu Politics

The BJP strongly criticised Gehlot’s remarks, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleging that the comments reflected Congress’s hostility towards Hindutva.

“The Congress party hates Hindus and Hindutva. Yet another piece of evidence has come out in the form of Ashok Gehlot’s statement," Poonawalla said.

He argued that Hindutva had been recognised by the Supreme Court as a way of life and questioned Gehlot’s remarks about banning the BJP.

‘Emergency Mindset’ Charge

Poonawalla also linked Gehlot’s comments to the Congress party’s Emergency-era legacy, claiming the statement reflected an “Emergency mindset".

The BJP spokesperson further accused the Congress of engaging in appeasement politics and favouring minority vote banks, charges the opposition party has repeatedly rejected.

Fresh Political Flashpoint

The exchange marks the latest flashpoint between the Congress and the BJP, with both parties sharpening their attacks ahead of upcoming political battles.

While Congress continues to accuse the BJP of promoting communal polarisation, the ruling party has sought to portray the opposition as disconnected from the country’s cultural and religious traditions.

Gehlot’s remarks are likely to fuel further debate over Hindutva, minority representation and the role of religion in Indian politics.

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