The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a strong attack against Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing him of mocking the pain of farmers and displaying "insensitivity" towards their plight. The BJP's criticism stems from an incident where Kharge allegedly made disparaging remarks to a farmer who approached him to complain about crop damage.

According to reports, a farmer attempted to show Kharge his damaged pigeon pea crop, explaining that four acres of his crops had been ruined. In response, Kharge allegedly accused the farmer of seeking publicity and told him "not to whine and seek publicity all the time". He further suggested that the farmer take his complaints to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

BJP leaders have seized upon this incident to criticize the Congress party's stance on farmers' issues. Amit Malviya, a BJP leader, shared a video clip of the interaction on social media, stating, "Next time Rahul Gandhi or Congress pretend to speak for farmers, remind them of this, their own President Mallikarjun Kharge mocked farmers' pain". Malviya added that Kharge told the farmer "not to whine and seek publicity all the time," and that this "legendary insensitivity of Congress" has pushed farmers to despair for decades.

Shehzad Poonawalla, another BJP leader, also accused Kharge of "disrespecting" farmers, alleging that he insulted a farmer who was expressing his grief. Poonawalla asserted that the Congress party is against the farmers and their interests.

The BJP has contrasted Kharge's alleged insensitivity with Prime Minister Modi's efforts to support farmers. Malviya praised Modi for "ushering in a real revolution" by helping farmers diversify, double their incomes, protect crops against seasonal risks, and embrace modern farming techniques. He concluded, "Congress mocked, PM Modi delivered".

This is not the first time the BJP has accused Congress leaders of making insensitive remarks. In April 2025, the BJP criticized Kharge and Rahul Gandhi over comments made by several Congress leaders that questioned the need for a war with Pakistan and the Pahalgam terror attack victims' account. The BJP questioned whether the Congress party's call for national unity was merely a formality.

The Congress party has also accused the BJP of being anti-farmer. In March 2025, Kharge stated that the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had joined hands against the country's food providers. He criticized the forcible detention of farmer leaders by the Punjab Police and accused both parties of being "intoxicated" with the arrogance of power.